Manoj Bajpayee’s The Family Man returned with its third season on Friday, November 21. While the series is garnering praise for the cast’s impeccable performances and intriguing storyline, one particular scene has sparked conversation about an important topic: gender-neutral language.
The scene shows the lead character, Srikant Tiwari, played by Manoj Bajpayee, having a conversation with his son about using “they/them” pronouns to refer to her daughter. Talking about her elder sister Dhriti, Atharv says, “Akka likes to be called they/them not she/her.”
When asked why, he explains, “They (Dhriti) wants to show her support for all non-binary people, that’s why Akka changed her pronouns, from she to them.” Srikant seemed visibly confused by the explanation,
much like some other viewers watching the episode.
Average conversation between a millennial and a GenZ
byu/onlyrightt inbollywoodmemes
If you’re one of them, here’s everything you need to know about gender neutral pronouns and how to use them to encourage respectful language and inclusivity.
What are gender neutral pronouns?
They/them pronouns are gender-neutral and used to refer to someone without specifying their gender. They are used for people who don’t identify as male or female, specifically nonbinary, genderqueer, or genderfluid individuals. For instance, rather than saying “he is here” or “she is here,” one would say “they are here” for a person who prefers these pronouns.
She/her pronouns are traditionally associated with individuals identifying as female, but may also be used by some gender-nonconforming people. Respecting a person’s chosen pronouns acknowledges their gender identity.
Pronoun Usage
Pronouns play an important role in respecting individuals’ gender identities. Using the correct pronouns is essential for inclusive communication. Traditionally, pronouns like “she/her/hers” have been used to refer to individuals identifying as female, as seen in examples such as “She is going to the store,” “This is her book,” and “The choice is hers.”
On the other hand, “he/him/his” has been used for those identifying as male, as in “He is playing soccer,” “This is his car,” and “The idea was his.” However, for individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female, gender-neutral pronouns like “they/them/theirs” are used, as in “They are arriving soon,” “That is their backpack,” and “The choice is theirs.”
Some individuals may also use less common nonbinary pronouns such as “ze/hir/hirs,” as in “Ze is coming over,” “That is hir book,” and “The idea was hirs.” It’s worth noting that “it/its” is generally not used to refer to people, mainly being reserved for objects or animals. To ensure respectful communication, it’s best to ask or listen for a person’s pronouns if you’re unsure, as this acknowledges and respects their gender identity.
Pronouns in Education
Pronouns like they/them and she/her are increasingly included in school curricula, particularly in English and social studies, to reflect growing awareness of gender diversity. By incorporating lessons on personal pronouns and respectful language, educational institutions aim to foster an environment of inclusivity and respect for all gender identities.
This educational approach enables students to understand the importance of using correct pronouns, such as they/them and she/her, when referring to their peers. However, the extent of pronoun education varies significantly across different regions and education boards, with no universal curriculum in place to standardise this aspect of education.
The primary focus of these initiatives tends to be on middle and high school students, typically between the ages of 10 and 18, who are at a stage where they are more aware of gender identity and the significance of personal pronouns. By educating students about pronouns and their role in promoting respect and inclusivity, schools can play a crucial role in shaping a more empathetic and understanding society.
Pronouns in Indian Education
India’s traditional education system has primarily been based on a binary gender model. It only recognises male and female categories with limited inclusion of nonbinary or gender-neutral pronouns. This framework often results in transgender and nonbinary students facing social exclusion and a lack of institutional support in educational settings.
Some urban and private schools are taking steps to educate students and teachers about gender diversity and the importance of using preferred pronouns. While the National Education Policy 2020 and various legal directions emphasise the need for inclusive education, the practical implementation of these policies remains a challenge. Awareness and inclusion of pronouns are gradually growing, particularly in metropolitan areas, but mainstream school syllabi still largely adhere to a binary gender framework.
As a result, there is a pressing need for more comprehensive and widespread efforts to create an educational environment that values and supports all gender identities.
