Re: Educator addressing a "Transgendered" student

[anrmenchaca47]

Quick question. How can I as an educator respond to a directive that asks that we address a female student, who identifies as male, with a masculine name?

By adhereing to these directives am I deliberately going against church teaching? (i.e. CCC)

Please advise.

 

[AnnArbor]

Quick question. How can I as an educator respond to a directive that asks that we address a female student, who identifies as male, with a masculine name?

By adhereing to these directives am I deliberately going against church teaching? (i.e. CCC)

Please advise.

I think, as with all students, you’d address the student by his/her preferred name. Names are also often ambiguous: Leslie/Lesley; Kelly; Charlie; Chris; Pat are just a few that pop to mind that are commonly used by both girls and boys.

 

[Garyjohn2]

Quick question. How can I as an educator respond to a directive that asks that we address a female student, who identifies as male, with a masculine name?

By adhereing to these directives am I deliberately going against church teaching? (i.e. CCC)

Please advise.

Sorry, I’m not an expert. Can’t you just address them by their name (which you have no control over)? Some people name their kids strange things. “Avery” can be a boys or girls name – and more and more names are being used as unisex. There’s no issue with calling a girl “George” if that’s what the name is. You could call her “Rover the Labrador” if that’s what you were instructed to do by her or her parents.

In using the he/she pronoun, you’ll have to get more creative. If you don’t want to caller her a “he” just use “they.” That’s what I would do anyways.

 

[Joe_5859]

Quick question. How can I as an educator respond to a directive that asks that we address a female student, who identifies as male, with a masculine name?

By adhereing to these directives am I deliberately going against church teaching? (i.e. CCC)

Please advise.

There’s no Catholic teaching that would necessitate you not call a student by the name they indicate they want to be called by.

Frankly, though, that’s the least of the issues surrounding transgenderism. I’d find it more problematic to use the masculine pronouns than the masculine name.

 

[AdamP88]

Quick question. How can I as an educator respond to a directive that asks that we address a female student, who identifies as male, with a masculine name?

By adhereing to these directives am I deliberately going against church teaching? (i.e. CCC)

Please advise.

I would go with it. If the student wanted to be called something like Carl the Cookie Monster, I’d stop short of that. But I’d address the student by whatever name they preferred.

I’d draw the line at using weird pronouns or forcing the class to do that.

That said, I do wonder if a mentally ill person asked you to indulge in their fantasy, would you go along with it? Because that’s what this is.

 

[nodito]

I think, as with all students, you’d address the student by his/her preferred name. Names are also often ambiguous: Leslie/Lesley; Kelly; Charlie; Chris; Pat are just a few that pop to mind that are commonly used by both girls and boys.

Also Sam, Casey, Jamie, Alex, Drew, Lee, Sydney…

I would just call the child by whatever name she requests and avoid pronouns.

 

[AClaire11]

Call them what they ask.

 

[NM505StKate]

Call them what they ask.

This ^^^

 

[Bookcat]

Hum…could not resist:

Quick question. How…address a female student, who identifies as male

How can one can “add” -“dress”?

…by* giving her a dress*?

Hopefully that lightens the difficult question for a moment (no offense intended…just my odd sense of humor).

As to the real question - I imagine there will be some good suggestions in the forum.

I would think it could likely depend on what kind of name they have etc.

Maybe one could just address everyone by their last name?

Smith - what is the answer?

Kirk - are you sleeping?

Samgenski - where is your homework?

Jackson - knock it off!

 

[NM505StKate]

This question isn’t difficult. Just respect what he wants to be called. Rather easy.

 

[Bookcat]

This question isn’t difficult. Just respect what he wants to be called. Rather easy.

Yes it is a difficult question.

One though can see first what She wants to be called first. Then go from there in ones considering if one should call them that.

 

[Bookcat]

Last names for everyone!

Smith - did you do your homework?

Jones - Knock it off!

 

[NM505StKate]

Last names for everyone!

Smith - did you do your homework?

Jones - Knock it off!

I live in a state where a lot of people have the same last name. I think every state can have this issue. So calling out say Dominguez and ten heads look up would make last names a bit impractical. Just call the young lad what he wishes, again not very difficult.

 

[Joe_5859]

I live in a state where a lot of people have the same last name. I think every state can have this issue. So calling out say Dominguez and ten heads look up would make last names a bit impractical. Just call the young lad what he wishes, again not very difficult.

The same happens with first names, too, though. Sometimes several students have the same first name in a class.

I’m inclined to agree with just calling them the name they ask to be called, but I can’t help wondering whether a teacher would say the same thing if a student asked everyone to start calling him “Darth Vader” or “Vlad the Impaler”. For those who don’t subscribe to fluid gender theories, saying you are of a different gender than the one your anatomy dictates is just as much a break with reality. So I can understand the OP’s hesitation. I’m not sure how I’d handle it if I found myself in that situation.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I don’t think there is any harm in using this persons prefered name. I don’t think it’s your job to guide this person through their gender issues, hopefully they will have a proper counselor for that.

 

[AClaire11]

I don’t think there is any harm in using this persons prefered name. I don’t think it’s your job to guide this person through their gender issues, hopefully they will have a proper counselor for that.

Yes, it is very likely that this student is seeing a counselor.

 

[pensmama87]

The same happens with first names, too, though. Sometimes several students have the same first name in a class.

I’m inclined to agree with just calling them the name they ask to be called, but I can’t help wondering whether a teacher would say the same thing if a student asked everyone to start calling him “Darth Vader” or “Vlad the Impaler”. For those who don’t subscribe to fluid gender theories, saying you are of a different gender than the one your anatomy dictates is just as much a break with reality. So I can understand the OP’s hesitation. I’m not sure how I’d handle it if I found myself in that situation.

When I have, typically the person uses a gender-neutral name or uses initials. One person I know legally changed her name to the initials, rather than taking on a masculine name. I don’t agree with her decision to present herself as male, but I do have compassion for her, pray for her, and appreciate that she understands that it can be sensitive for others around her.

 

[NM505StKate]

The same happens with first names, too, though. Sometimes several students have the same first name in a class.

I’m inclined to agree with just calling them the name they ask to be called, but I can’t help wondering whether a teacher would say the same thing if a student asked everyone to start calling him “Darth Vader” or “Vlad the Impaler”. For those who don’t subscribe to fluid gender theories, saying you are of a different gender than the one your anatomy dictates is just as much a break with reality. So I can understand the OP’s hesitation. I’m not sure how I’d handle it if I found myself in that situation.

Fanciful names, though having a kid named Darth would be frickin cool, are one thing that adults can dismiss. Best to be civil and tolerant, call them by the name they say.

 

[NM505StKate]

When I have, typically the person uses a gender-neutral name or uses initials. One person I know legally changed her name to the initials, rather than taking on a masculine name. I don’t agree with her decision to present herself as male, but I do have compassion for her, pray for her, and appreciate that she understands that it can be sensitive for others around her.

Also it is important to use the proper pronouns. He/him for the young boy is wonderful.

 

[Joe_5859]

Also it is important to use the proper pronouns. He/him for the young boy is wonderful.

I think everyone will agree that it is important to use proper pronouns. I think people disagree about what the proper pronoun is in these situations.