The importance of pronouns • NMD 200 - Task 10 •

Why?

Pronouns are an important part of peoples identities, especially inside digital places. They help to make everyone feel respected and seen. Here, I'll show examples of how pronouns work, when they're used, and how the usage of them could improve inclusivity.

Pronouns are words we all use on the daily like "he", "she", or "they." In digital spaces such as Instagram, there's the option to select your own pronouns which gives people the sense of feeling seen for who they are. Many people identify beyond the traditional male and female gender categories, so being able to provide choices can make digital interactions with others more comfortable for them.

According to Culture Amp, "1 in 5 Americans say they personally know someone who prefers a pronoun other than "he" or "she", and this number is only growing over time."

Culture Amp

Schools and other workspaces are realizing the importance of pronouns in order to create a more inclusive environment. Normalizing something just as simple as pronoun sharing is a great start, you could go by this example of just saying, "Hello, I'm (Name), and my I use (Ex: She/her) pronouns." These are small tips that can go a long way to make a safer school/workspace.

Pronoun Limits on Platforms

Not all digital platforms have kept up with the need for inclusivity and diverse pronoun choices. Many platforms still limit users to choosing only "male" and "female", this leaves out people who don't identify with either.

When filling out a new profile on a website users might not have the option to choose their own pronouns, this can feel very restrictive to them. By adding a wider range of pronouns or a more open field for customization would allow people to feel respected in digital spaces that they should already feel accepted in.

Websites and Social Networks Pronouns

Currently at the moment, platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Google are lacking some in this category. Facebook does allow their users to pick their own gender but the options come as, “Male,” “Female,” or “Custom” and there isn’t an option for users to select their preferred pronouns. On Google, they have the same sort of situation where if you don’t align with the female or male options they have “rather not say.” Google doesn’t exactly allow you to add pronouns but you can write your own in on something like your email signature. For Snapchat, they only offer the binary gender options to pick from and there is currently no option for users to display their pronouns.

Whenever a digital platform such as Snapchat doesn’t include pronoun options it can lead to people feeling misgendered or almost like an outcast. Misgendering is when you use the wrong pronouns for someone, this can be hurtful to them and uncomfortable. Studies shown from “Community Commons” that, “Using a child’s correct pronouns and name is the medical intervention for gender dysphoria. It is often the only first step available and sometimes the only step available for a long time.” Doing something simple like that can mean the world to someone, sometimes it can be the difference between life or death.

Community Commons

When both digital platforms and work environments use and respect the idea of pronouns, it creates a nice sense of belonging for all. Employee’s or students may feel more at ease when they see their company or school encourages the use of pronoun inclusivity. This builds better trust and brings more opportunity for more open communication. Social media platforms that allow pronoun choices often see much positive feedback from users who feel happily acknowledged. This opens the door for a happier, healthier environment, a safe space.

These are some tips for improving pronoun usage on social media and in real life:

Offer Pronoun Options: Always give options and the decision to give customizable pronouns on profiles.
Normalize Pronoun Use in Spaces: Companies and Schools can set a well done example by encouraging pronouns in email signatures or even on name tags. Schools can be as simple as on the first day of class, have people introduce themselves around the room adding what their pronouns are after saying their name.
Respect Pronouns in conversations: If someone shares their personal pronouns with you make sure to use them consistently to show respect for them, this lets you know that you hear them and you see them.

Pronouns are more than just everyday words, they’re a way to show you care and acknowledge someone for who they are. Having pronouns in digital spaces makes people feel more at ease and welcome. As digital technology develops, let’s make sure we all strive for a comfortable, steady environment where anyone can feel accepted for who they are.

Credits

Firestone, Asher. “The Limits of Professional Pronouns.” Medium, Fearless Futures, 26 Oct. 2021, medium.com/fearless-futures/the-limits-of-professional-pronouns-3efe02122165.

“Beyond Inclusion: Pronoun Use for Health and Well-Being.” Community Commons, communitycommons.org/collections/Pronouns-and-Well-Being. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Luc, Kelly. “Why Sharing Gender Pronouns Is Important in the Workplace.” Culture Amp, 8 Mar. 2024, www.cultureamp.com/blog/gender-pronouns-in-workplace.

“Websites and Social Networks.” Websites and Social Networks - Nonbinary Wiki, nonbinary.wiki/wiki/Websites_and_social_networks. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

YouTube, youtu.be/SRh7j2g95HU?si=CPQmdLaaX5vCi5-V. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Credits:

Created with images by • Lomb - Multiethnic group of young people putting their hands on top of each other. Close up image of students friends making a stack of hands. Trust and friendship concept • Josie Elias - Challenging gender stereotypes. Pronouns. Him, Her, They • Kaspars Grinvalds - Photo gallery of beautiful female model on mobile phone • BullRun - Joyful employee reading notes on glass wall with coworkers • Oleg_Yakovlev - Social media macro photo of lcd screen • metamorworks - ITイメージ • amnaj - Businessman taking off glasses, feel tired from long hours working on laptop in the office. • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - happy multiethnic group of business partners working together • sosiukin - helpful tips word written on wood block. helpful tips text on table, concept • Drobot Dean - Cropped photo of handshake • Adelium - Corporativo • Sam Edwards/Caia Image - Young friends hugging and walking in sunny park • Shopping King Louie - Happy successful african student, wearing glasses and with a black backpack, standing on the steps and smiling