@hightor,
hightor wrote:Some people would disagree — vehemently!
Yes, I know that some people would disagree. Some people object to the use of plural pronouns in this type of situation on the grounds that it’s ungrammatical. In fact, the use of plural pronouns to refer back to a singular subject isn’t new: it represents a revival of a practice dating from at least the 16th century. It’s increasingly common in current English and is now widely accepted both in speech and in writing.
I am aware that it is the subject of debate: I am on the 'pro' side of that. I’m in good literary company: according to the historical Oxford English Dictionary (OED), writers such as Thackeray, Oliver Goldsmith, and George Bernard Shaw have all used this construction.
I am also thoroughly aware that, although also very common, the use of they after a singular noun is still anathema to many people, especially in formal contexts. This is in spite of the fact that the use of plural pronouns to refer back to a singular noun isn’t a sign of declining standards in modern English: as I said before, it represents a revival of a historical practice, as the OED evidence makes clear:
He neuer forsaketh any creature vnlesse they before haue forsaken them selues.
– J Fisher Wayes to Perfect Religion (before 1535)
The notion that 'the male embraces the female' (!) is considered sexist and non-inclusive by many people.
The norms of English usage have never remained fixed for all time and this construction may well gain wider acceptance in the future. As always, if one is writing in a very formal context, or if one's organization has a style guide that expressly forbids such a practice, then it’s advisable to avoid it (or be prepared to argue your case and back it up with historical evidence, as I’ve done here!).