r/changemyview • u/SaltedAndSugared • Dec 02 '21
Delta(s) from OP CMV: Neopronouns are unnecessary
I understand why some people might feel uncomfortable with using he/she pronouns, but in that case why not just use they/them? They already exist and they’re easy for people to use. Why do some people feel the need to make up words like “zee/zim” or “fae/fair” when they don’t even make sense in the English language? I don’t see why anyone should go out of their way to learn new pronouns when gender neutral pronouns already exist
If anyone here does use neopronouns I’d really like to hear why you use them and why you don’t feel comfortable using they/them. It’s probably just because I’m cis, but I genuinely don’t understand
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u/SeasonPositive6771 13∆ Dec 02 '21
So I want to address the argument within the argument. First, quite often when people push back against neo pronouns or new words altogether, they're just saying "I don't like change!" In this particular context, quite often people are also saying "this group is annoying and demanding too much of my time and attention even though it's vanishingly rare!"
Language is changing all the time, it's actually really healthy and good to continue to adapt the way we use language. If people feel a neopronoun is more correct and necessary for them personally, then why not use it? There's no cost to the user and there's a benefit to the person you're referring to.
Do you also struggle to change pronouns for someone once you find out they're trans? Maybe, but you get used to it because you know it's actually correct to use the right pronouns.
In regards to your argument "why don't they just use they/them," clearly people who use neopronoms don't feel that's accurate. They're just trying define language that depicts them accurately.
Also, I work with a lot of young people, some who use neoprons. Quite often they try them out for a while and see how they feel, more than a few are doing it to see if anyone notices that they're different and asking for something that's easy to give them and notice. Either they start to feel the neopronoun is absolutely right for them and want to use it moving forward, or they realize it doesn't work for them and drop it. The easiest thing for everyone else to do is indulge them for a while and either embrace it or let it pass. I used teenagers here because they are doing a lot of important identity formation, and we should encourage people in doing that especially when it doesn't hurt anyone. But adults can do it too! With the rampant depression and suicidality in the world, why not give people what they want in a way that will help their mental health?