EDITORIAL – Pronouns and the eternal debate over parents’ vs. kids’ rights

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

PARENTAL RIGHTS are always controversial and they’re really up for debate right now. It revolves around whether students should be able to change their gender pronouns and what, if any, role parents should have in it.

Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have adopted new policies for schools, requiring parental consent for students wanting to change their preferred pronouns.

In Canada, by law, parents have the right to make all decisions necessary for their children’s well-being, such as health care and where they live, where they’re schooled and matters of religion.

But kids have rights, too. They have a right to be protected. Advocates say they have autonomy over their bodies, including how they identify.

On the other hand, those who favour strong parental rights insist parents should have much more control over what children are taught, including what books they’re allowed to read. There’s always talk of the “erosion” of parents’ rights.

Another nuance is the matter of what age a child’s rights begin, which troubles parents, teachers and the courts alike.

On the specific topic of pronouns, a recent study by the Angus Reid Institute found that most of those surveyed believed schools should inform parents if children wish to change their pronouns, but were divided on whether parents should actually have the final say over whether kids are allowed to do it.

The true culprit is the lack of a gender-neutral pronoun in the English language, which has bothered linguists for generations. The ultimate answer might be to invent one, since the increasingly common use of “they” in place of “him” or “her” is awkward for many people. One U.S. jurisdiction has even proposed the use of “y’all” to replace current gender pronouns.

Until the day we find one and use it to refer to everyone no matter their sexual identity, the debate will continue, as will the attempt to find balance between parents’ rights and the rights of our kids.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.