Social Problems - Blog Posts

As of the 19th of December, 2023, there is new transgender guidance for education in Britain. To put it bluntly, it’s awful.

(All of the screenshots and information are from the itvNews article published on this day)

The first alarming aspect comes under changing pronouns. According to this, schools are allowed to simply decline a change in pronouns. This is completely unacceptable, considering that adding or subtracting a single syllable from a sentence is not a chore. In a society, wherein female teachers can very easily go from being referred to as Miss to Mrs, it is hypocritical to deny someone the right to be referred to correctly.

Secondly, what are the ‘other options’ referenced here? Does that include denying the child of preferred pronouns, or maybe educating them on why there are not who they say they are? This non-clarity raises important questions that are conveniently ignored.

The third concern comes under the physical education and sport section, as seen here. What concerns me is the implied idea that it would be dangerous and unfair for two children of opposite sexes to interact in a sport together. At all. That a 12 year old boy and a 12 year old girl would come out of a game of football together permanently damaged is such a common idea is barbaric. At this point, it is not only an issue of transphobia, but sexism, as well, to insinuate that - most likely - a girl will be terrorised by playing with a boy. Furthermore, it suggests that they must be kept apart for their safety!

All in all, say what you really want to say; either you don’t think girls are the same as boys, or you don’t want transgender people to live happy lives.

I genuinely don’t know how to end this. It’s just insane to me that this is a society that preaches equality and freedom, and yet treats its population like we’re back in the 1900s. Get a fucking grip.

Now that we've discovered the First-Ever Complaint Letter, perhaps we will discover other firsts among ancient cuneiform tablets baked in long-long-ago city fires. Like, oh, I don't know... How about the First-Recorded Karen?

"O, Tara-Nuwusu, since your father's death, you are the head of your household, and as such, we, the elders of the town, implore you to curb your venerable mother's behavior. Her sharp tongue and endless demands are an affliction to us all. Day after day, she lurks at the gate of the town, seeking those with whom she may take offense and make undignified scenes. Please, Tara-Nuwusu, [...] diligently, for the sake of your name and lineage, and speak to your mother, and [...] to her that she cannot insist on [?receiving] goods without price, as compensation for ill-treatment she has [?imagined/?alleged], nor may she overturn the stalls of vendors who refuse her demands. O, Tara-Nuwusu, we do not wish to bind and confine your venerable mother, but she daily [...] peace of the city with her behavior, and if you cannot control her, we must regretfully subject you and your family to [?humiliation]."