Assuming (Talking About) Gender

(I am about four years old and sitting in the back seat of my mom’s car as we drive somewhere. All of a sudden, I ask this gem.)

Me: “Mommy, what does ‘sex’ mean?”

(There is a long pause as my mom tries to figure out how to explain this to a four-year-old. Finally, she comes up with a response.)

Mom: “Well, why do you ask?”

Me: “Because there’s a piece of paper on the seat and it says, ‘Sex: M or F.’”

(Cue a sigh of relief from my mom.)