The Power of Language: Pt. 1

My colleague's student asked about why he always makes his students write "she or he," instead of the supposedly gender-neutral "he" when referring to an unknown or universal entity. He told her his story to illustrate the power of language...

"A man and son got into a car accident and were taken to two hospitals. The surgeon comes out, takes one look the boy and says, "I'm sorry, I can't operate on that boy, he's my son."

What's the relationship beween the surgeon and the boy?"