On a related note, I generally either use the neutral form of the word, or put a note about how even though I used the masculine form I don’t like patriarchy. It’s just sometimes a hassle to neuter everything, and I like going with the tradition of using the masculine form because I’ve already internalized it. But I don’t want it to feel like I’m overlooking women’s concerns.
The singular “they” is grammatically correct and requires less effort than “he or she” or alternating “he” and “she”.
The generic “she” isn’t gender-nuetral, but I think it’s fine to use when everyone else is using the generic “he”. Like affirmative action for pronouns. I usually use “they”, but whenever I see an animal and I don’t know it’s gender I call it a “she”. Because most people will call the animal “he” and I want to counter-act that.
So, specifically, if I used the masculine form but then also put down a note about how I don’t like patriarchy, would you would still feel bad or think I’m supporting bad assumptions? The note thing is what I generally do in the status quo, and what requires the least effort on my part.
I can understand if you would still feel bad, I just wanted to make sure you saw the note caveat I mentioned because you didn’t mention anything about it in your comment.
I actually either missed the note caveat, or else didn’t mention it because I don’t think that sort of note helps.
The thing is, I still have a mental habit of seeing male as default human—I’m not just hoping to get rid of that in my own mind, I’d really prefer it if the meme of male as default human isn’t spread.
On a related note, I generally either use the neutral form of the word, or put a note about how even though I used the masculine form I don’t like patriarchy. It’s just sometimes a hassle to neuter everything, and I like going with the tradition of using the masculine form because I’ve already internalized it. But I don’t want it to feel like I’m overlooking women’s concerns.
Anyone here dislike that?
I’ve found that it’s possible to avoid gendered pronouns with a little work. You may find that practice helps.
If they can’t be avoided there’s always “he or she”, possibly alternated with “she or he”.
For what it’s worth, I don’t like male as the default human. It’s very far from the worst thing ever, but I recommend avoiding it.
The singular “they” is grammatically correct and requires less effort than “he or she” or alternating “he” and “she”.
The generic “she” isn’t gender-nuetral, but I think it’s fine to use when everyone else is using the generic “he”. Like affirmative action for pronouns. I usually use “they”, but whenever I see an animal and I don’t know it’s gender I call it a “she”. Because most people will call the animal “he” and I want to counter-act that.
So, specifically, if I used the masculine form but then also put down a note about how I don’t like patriarchy, would you would still feel bad or think I’m supporting bad assumptions? The note thing is what I generally do in the status quo, and what requires the least effort on my part.
I can understand if you would still feel bad, I just wanted to make sure you saw the note caveat I mentioned because you didn’t mention anything about it in your comment.
I actually either missed the note caveat, or else didn’t mention it because I don’t think that sort of note helps.
The thing is, I still have a mental habit of seeing male as default human—I’m not just hoping to get rid of that in my own mind, I’d really prefer it if the meme of male as default human isn’t spread.