Can we use the word 'your' in an essay?

Question

I know we can't use 'you' in an essay because its informal, but is it okay to use 'your'?
e.g. what if your childhood is taken away from you?
I'm writing a childhood essay, if someone can also please come up with a more sophisticated sentence than the one above, it'll be hugely appreciated :)

Answer 1

"They were robbed of their childhood."

"They missed out on their childhood."



You could not use this anyway as it contains the word "you". You said you can't use "you".

e.g. what if your childhood is taken away from you?

Answer 2

I don't really agree that you shouldn't use 'you' in an essay, but if that is a rule you have been given then I think it would apply to 'your' too. If you are being quite formal you could say "one" instead of "you" and "one's" instead of " your".

Answer 3

e.g. what if your childhood is taken away from you?



how about



what if one's childhood is taken away?

Answer 4

Yes you can use your in any essay.

Answer 5

You should defiantly be able to use "your" unless you can use the term "you're"