Boy, 9, returns to school as a girl

Amnesia · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:09

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6208575/Boy-9-returns-to-school-as-a-girl.html

If you were the parents of this child....would you encourage him or tell him to get a grip

LukeTW · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:13

pe-roast

The Halk · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:14

On the surface of it I think it would be better to have the child feel repressed and stop them doing it than allow them to expose themselves to the level of abuse and the resultant psychological trauma that may ensue.

However if there's medical and psychiatric opinion that it would be better for the child to do that then I'll cede to their better judgement.

Can't say I'm entirely comfortable with it at all. But after the stuff in the news about the South African athelete (I can't remember her name) which essentially was saying that while males and females exist there's also people with genetic problems that can outwardly appear to be one but actually be less defined in the way of gender I'm a little more open minded.

Indy500 · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:32

The Halk said:
On the surface of it I think it would be better to have the child feel repressed and stop them doing it than allow them to expose themselves to the level of abuse and the resultant psychological trauma that may ensue.

However if there's medical and psychiatric opinion that it would be better for the child to do that then I'll cede to their better judgement.

Can't say I'm entirely comfortable with it at all. But after the stuff in the news about the South African athelete (I can't remember her name) which essentially was saying that while males and females exist there's also people with genetic problems that can outwardly appear to be one but actually be less defined in the way of gender I'm a little more open minded.

Its possible for someone to be female yet also have male anatomy (a rather rare genetic makeup, close to hermaphroditism). Hormone balances in the womb are not always precise.

Without knowing the child's psychological and physical condition I can't make any specific comments.

The Halk · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:34

That's the point I was rather poorly trying to make, and I agree that without more information (and a couple of appropriate degrees) I couldn't pass judgement.

Mr Jack · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:34

The Halk said:
On the surface of it I think it would be better to have the child feel repressed and stop them doing it than allow them to expose themselves to the level of abuse and the resultant psychological trauma that may ensue.

Suicide rates among transgender individuaks who "repress it" are shockingly high. However, something like 80% of boys who express "transgender" feelings when under 18 lose those feelings before they reach 18 anyway so I'm still a bit disturbed by this.

Indy500 · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:44

The Halk said:
That's the point I was rather poorly trying to make, and I agree that without more information (and a couple of appropriate degrees) I couldn't pass judgement.

Well, I'm by no means a specialist, going to presentations and talks is not the same thing as being an MD.

Sad thing is, someone born with "ambigous" genitalia stands a high chance of being surgically altered because of people's hang-ups about gender definitions.

Robbo · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:44

Another brilliant example of stupid parenting.

AGD · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:53

I think a child is too young to decide if they want to change gender at that age. If they want to do it when 16 or 18 then go for it but at that age they are not sure what they want and will just get bullied. I think the parents/school/advisors have made the wrong decision.

deuse · 21 Sep 2009 at 22:57

Jamesftw said:
Another brilliant example of stupid parenting.

GreatAuk · 21 Sep 2009 at 23:00

Jamesftw said:
Another brilliant example of stupid parenting.

this tbh...

I mean what kind of parent lets their male child take a barbie towel to school?! That is hardly a childs choice - no parent in their right mind would let their child do this unless they actually enjoyed seeing their child getting bullied. I't clearly the parents who either wanted a girl/ want to be in the news/ are deluded/etc.

Most of all I feel sorry for the child, who after being pressured into this at an early age may hide whatever he truly feels (whether he truly feels like a boy/girl -an issue now hard to work out now that the parents have altered the conditions in a way that is biased towards being a transexual) until it is too late, or he has been through hell for his parents.

EDIT oops towel thing is this one http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1214314/Boy-12-turns-girl-summer-holidays.html but the point about parents stands whatever.

gillywibble · 21 Sep 2009 at 23:15

Major facepalm. I don't know where to start

Azagoth · 21 Sep 2009 at 23:31

Yeah, that kid isn't going to get bullied is it?

Tute · 22 Sep 2009 at 00:11

Jamesftw said:
Another brilliant example of stupid parenting.

Sime · 22 Sep 2009 at 03:26

Its a trap?

NightSt@lk3r · 22 Sep 2009 at 03:29

Sime said:
Its a trap?

Lift up the skirt and let us know.

Robbo · 22 Sep 2009 at 10:12

NightSt@lk3r said:
Lift up the skirt and let us know.

That is so horribly wrong in so many ways tbh

bledd · 22 Sep 2009 at 10:14

What the hell?

My parents would have belted me if I'd tried anything like that

, and I'd do the same tbh

PaulStat · 22 Sep 2009 at 10:20

My favourite part of the article had to be this

"My son is too young to really understand the significance of what's happening. It's hard to explain to him. I'm terrified he'll ask me if he can become a girl as well."

just lol

Malakite · 22 Sep 2009 at 10:41

Mabey they are just grooming him to win the women's 100 meter sprint in the future?

And had to laugh at the end of that article. People who have criticised the decision on a social networking website have been warned by the police they may be charged for harrasment!! what on earth is this country coming to?