"it should not be assumed merely because the pronouns "he", "him", and the possessive "his" are used extensively throughout this article that the person referred is of the male sex. gender is of no consequemce om ,pst situations referred to herein, and yet the alternatives of using "he/she" or "his/her" or employing the pronouns "she", "her", or the possessive "hers" make for cumbersome prose in the fist instance and in the latter could even be viewed as being more sexist and male chauvinistic than the terms that have been employed."
-Defending Civil Service Employee from Discharge
by Loren E. Mcmaster
hmmmm. i used to have a teacher in lawschool who insisted that we should use the alternatives "he/she" or "his/her". he would throw a fit if we made the mistake of using only the he or his.
i wonder if it really is more sexist and male chauvinistic to use these alternatives.
personally though, i don't take offense if it is the he or his that is used.
food for thought. for those with nothing better to do.
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