I'm currently learning Japanese, so in my studies, I came across that information. I want you to read it again and take that in. "no word for boy or girl... only woman-child and man-child." Language plays a huge part in the way people think. Languages shapes how we view and define our world. For example, the English language is a "male dominated" language. So is any culture that speaks English.
[excerpt] "Through its history the English language evolved in a patriarchal or male-dominated society and, as a result, its vocabulary and grammar tend to exclude women."
"...Male-based generics are another indicator—and, more importantly, a reinforcer—of a system in which "man" in the abstract and men in the flesh are privileged over women..."
These are just a few examples of the point I'm getting to. Now, in our culture (here in North America) we think of children as children, babies... Beings not able to think for themselves or care for themselves, at all. I feel that our way of thinking towards children leads to children who are unprepared for adulthood, once they find it upon them. This leads to adults who still think and function as children.
Perhaps if we thought of children more as a man in child form or a woman in child form, they'd be better prepared for life and adulthood. Too often we think that our children need to be sheltered from all. It is true that they need protection, love, guidance and support, but they do not need a crutch, a wheelchair... We tend to cripple their growth. Rather than prepare them for reality, we shield them with make believe and fairytales. Then when the harsh reality sinks in, they're unable to cope in healthy ways. They're unable to function.
Perhaps we should spend less time trying to keep them "innocent" (gullible, naive, etc) and focus on raising them to be productive, healthy, functioning men and women. Perhaps we should treat them less like "children" and more like our future.
That's all for now. More to come on this.
Written by: Genesis/Queen Tiye
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