A private school in Australia is reportedly supporting a young "non-verbal" student identifying as a cat. The behaviour is often linked to a "furries" subculture being adopted by many teens, where many furries feel a deep connection to a particular animal that they take on their "fursona", according to Gerbasi et al. A source close to the family said: "No one seems to have a protocol for students identifying as animals, but the approach has been that if it doesn’t disrupt the school, everyone is being supportive," "The behaviour is being normalised. Now more and more people are identifying as whatever they want to identify with, including 'furries'." Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The Melbourne school's approach to mental health "is always unique to the student and will take into account professional advice and the wellbeing of the student". Many Gen-Zers have taken on the subculture with an interest in anthropomorphised animals. On TikTok alone, the hashtag brings people eccentric costumes called "fursuits." Some wear head-to-toe outfits, while others wear the mask. Sharon Roberts, associate professor of social development studies at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, told ABC the subculture is becoming increasingly popular because of its safe and non-judgemental community. "They're usually imbued with positive attributes, and they're often idealised versions of the self," she said. "What the research has shown is that these self-created identities have incredible benefits to the person in all kinds of ways." She said, "about 20 to 25 per cent of furries have fur suits." "They might have ears or tails or wear a dog collar, but a lot of furries don't wear anything like that at all," she added. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Michael Beale looked back on a “horrible day” after a 3-1 defeat by Aberdeen left the Rangers boss admitting his future is in the hands of the Ibrox board. The home side missed several chances before defender Stefan Gartenmann scored his first Dons goal after 38 minutes and the Light Blues left the pitch at half-time with the boos of the Gers supporters ringing in their ears Dons midfielder Jamie McGrath added a second in the 68th minute before Rangers’ half-time substitute Scott Wright was sent off for picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Gartenmann. Abdallah Sima reduced the deficit in the 75th minute but Pittodrie defender Jack MacKenzie scored a third with five minutes left and the home fans stayed behind to vent their frustration at the final whistle as pressure piled on Beale, whose side already lie seven points behind league leaders Celtic. The Gers boss said: “It was a horrible day obviously, a terrible result. “We actually started really well. I thought Aberdeen were very compact and quite negative early on but we created three or four big chances. “You don’t take them and we defend a set-play as poorly as we did and go in 1-0 at half-time. “At that moment we could have done without Ridvan Yilmaz and Ryan Jack being injured because it compounds a light bench. “We reshuffled, started the second half OK and conceded from a set-play so we don’t deserve anything from the game.” Asked if he thought he will be given time, Beale said: “That’s somebody else’s decision. All I can do is continue with the job the best I can. “We felt we prepared well enough tactically. We went over and around them first half and created the chances. The way we played in the first half and the chances we made, I thought it was harsh to boo them off at half-time Michael Beale “It’s a really bad result and I feel the frustration and despair from the fans because we share it inside as staff and players, because first-half we had enough chances to win that game.” While understanding the frustration of the fans, Beale claimed their reaction at half-time was “harsh”. He said: “Listen, it’s a situation that’s escalated much faster than I thought. “The way we played in the first half and the chances we made, I thought it was harsh to boo them off at half-time. “We conceded from a set-play but we had played well enough to be 2-0 or 3-0 up. “I get the frustration, they follow this club all around the world. “It’s the fourth home game in 10 days and pretty much all of them have been sold out. “Sometimes the supporters could help the players but one or two could help themselves.” It was a well-deserved three points for Barry Robson’s side, who have now won three games in a row after a poor start to the season. The Dons boss was pleased for the travelling supporters who enjoyed the victory. He said: “It’s three points. That’s what we are in the game for. I thought in the game we were structurally very good. “We tried to frustrate them for the first 25 minutes then grow into the game and try and bring the things we are good at to the game and I think we did that well. “It’s a good feeling and it’s great for the fans. They deserve it. “They came here in numbers, they sell out when we are on the road, record season ticket sales and since I’ve come in as manager it’s been amazing how they have backed us. “That’s a brilliant performance for them. That’s what we are in it for.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mikel Arteta delighted to see Arsenal’s ‘human qualities’ after Kai Havertz goal Rob Edwards ‘very, very proud’ of Luton after landmark Premier League win Eddie Howe worried over growing injury list as Newcastle prepare for PSG clash

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