The first time I heard of the word pansexual was from my eighth grader. I had to look up the definition. My husband thought it was a Dr. Who reference, which it is, but it’s also one of many sexual identities of which my peers and I are likely ignorant.
A later conversation with my daughter resulted in more homework. Words like “demisexual,” and “heteroromantic” were foreign to me. Apparently these terms are being discussed among her classmates. I told her that most of my counterparts probably wouldn’t know what they meant either. “You’re from a different generation,” she oh so kindly explained.
Ouch.
It’s a different world now, that’s for sure. I applaud their knowledge and openness, and hope that this will increase self-awareness and confidence.
While my daughter may not know who (the original) Holly Hobbie is (hello, childhood bedroom wallpaper!), at least she’ll be familiar with Captain Jack Harkness. And I’d rather she know the latter.