Transgendered Child and School

I taught 1st and 3rd grade for years - the bathroom is the biggest issue. So much that we used to line up in the hall and I would monitor the stalls. The girls were constantly going in the stall with one another or trying to peak underneath or threw the little cracks. He's actually probably better off using the boys room - the boys misbehave but don't do stuff as bizarre as the girls. IMO the parents aren't considering the feelings of the other parents and children involved .and the fact that they let all their kids dye their hair wacky colors at such a young age is a little much. It sounds like they enjoy being noticeably differnt

Re: Transgendered Child and School

Posted by Jax430

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by InShock

Am I the only one who thinks that it's a little ridiculous for a 6 year old to be transgendered? Isn't this more the parents's doing than the kids'? I mean, I TOTALLY understand the boy wanting/liking things that are more girl oriented, but this seems like a way over the top move at only 6 years old.

I was thinking the EXACT same thing and was shocked to see that no one up until you pointed it out. I mean the kids passport says he is a girl??? I have a 5.5 yr old and I cannot imagine how any of this is going down. I feel bad for the child - my guess is he comes from a very dysfunctional home.

Actually if you did some research, you will see that it gender identity disorder can and has occurred in young children. And your comment that assumes that this child comes from a dysfunctional home is worthy of several

I suggest you read Jax430's response to this thread since she is a preschool psychologist.

The only reason why people should feel bad for this child or other children like her is because there are judgmental people in this world who don't and choose not to understand how very real this is. Don't feel bad for her because at the young age of 6, she already knows who she is and who she's supposed to be.

I am not judging the child - I am judging the parents. Sorry, I don't agree with what they are doing.

And, I'm sorry but a 6 year old is not fully capable of "knowing who she is and who she is supposed to be" in the true sense of the words. I'm not doubting or questioning or judging the issue of being transgender - I'm saying that they don't understand the issues that go into being "trangender." I agree with the above poster - it is simply about anatomy. The girl has a penis so she should go in the boys bathroom. At this age it really should be that simple. I think telling a six year old that becasue they feel like a girl they ARE in fact a girl is beyond confusing and stressful for the child.

Well then it's a good thing you aren't a parent of that child.

I say that with NO snark whatsoever. You have obviously not read any of the research or dealt with any children who are transgendered. If you had, you know that it IS possibly to know that you are the "wrong" sex from a very very young age and I believe that what the parents are fighting for is more than appropriate.

It has NOTHING to do with what you "believe" and has EVERYTHING to do with what this child feels in her deepest sense of herself.

This all boils down to one thing: stop judging what you DON'T KNOW.

Exactly. In fact, it would be a hell of a lot more stressful and confusing for this child to be told "you're a boy," when this goes against everything she feels inside. Anatomically, yes this child is a boy, but that's it. Her gender identity is female. It is VERY different than a child fantasizing about being a princess.

Re: Transgendered Child and School

Transgendered Child and School

Sorry but I'm having a really difficult time understanding some of these comments. Kids are being bullied all the time for being different. For so many years, people were (and still are!) afraid of coming out or being different due to an illness or disorder. I think it's time that issues like these are being addressed. Enough sweeping things under the rug. Maybe if we start teaching children that people are different and to accept everyone even if they are different, we can make a dent in the bullying problem in this country and lower the number of young people who commit suicide as a result of bullying.

And I think the idea that these people like the attention from being different is ridiculous because I'm sure all parents dream that their child struggles with gender identity disorder just so they can show how different they are. Come on now. Thank god this child has parents that are so understanding.

Re: Transgendered Child and School