Gender

[hazydaisy]

Is it a good idea to tell 8 year olds that they can choose yheir gender?
Have teachers been trained to deal with this?
I doubt it
What problems will emerge on the future?

[tonyav]

No it's not a good idea imo, Daisy. Not sure what sort of problems will emerge in the future but I'd bet there will be some.

[anneasquith]

No. Let 8 year old children act as normal. Adults are dreadful at interrupting the normal progress of childhood .

[Baldric]

No, 8 is far too young, let them develope naturally and take it from there.

[Mamyalynne]

As I said on the other thread about this topic, just be open honest and unshockable with children and encourage them to ask questions and be as ready as you can to deal with them.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1619308.html

I haven't read the full details of the programme and may try to read through it sometime soon.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Most boys and girls are aware of those differences very early.

Why should they be encouraged to "ask questions" such as "are you sure you're a boy? Or "Would you happier as a girl?".

Those who ask these questions obviously have the best interests of children at heart. Or possibly some other agenda?

Sure that MamyaLynne will reply once she's done her "research".

[LadyCG]

I think it just messes with kids' brains. Just let boys be boys and girls be girls without ramming confusing pc nonsense down their throats.

I'm sure if any child feels trapped in the wrong body, they'll come to realise it themselves eventually without actively being encouraged to have an identity crisis.

[david small]

Beyond ridiculous.

[ummmm]

You can tell an 8 year old anything. Nothing you say will change their sexuality.

It's teaching children about acceptance, not teaching them they can chose their gender.

Only a very few people feel trapped in the wrong body so lets not bully them.

[murraymints]

PC gone mad...

[rowanwitch]

By eight gender identity is pretty much established. A child that young might not have words for the feelings if they are being encouraged into their physical identity and it feels wrong but may already have demonstrated this by their clothing preferences etc. A friend at the moment has a six year old grand son who likes pink, dressing up and insists he hates his body. I think that was enough evidence to see the child psychology team. He has been consistent in this for some time.
I will give Jerome57 a kick he's trans and can maybe bring some personal experience to the discussion.

[ummmm]

It's not PC gone mad. We live in a different world now and are teaching our kids that some people are different.

Years ago transgenders would have lived in turmoil not being sure. Now with the internet and huge amount of channels on TV they are realising what their issue is. So teach our children to be accepting. How can that be wrong?

[murraymints]

8 is far too young for such discussion..let them grow / develop naturally..

[ummmm]

Rowan - I knew before the age of 8 that my son was gay. Nothing I said or did made him that way.

Luckily his whole family and friends were completely accepting and he's never really experienced any problems.

I don't think it's a bad thing to educate our young that not everyone is the same.

(that's not actually aimed at you, Rowan, I know you're accepting and open minded)

[ummmm]

8 isn't too young if the discussion is age appropriate.

They don't go into details. It's not like talking about intimate stuff. Jeez.

[rowanwitch]

What I mean is, eight might be too late, I think much better to give much younger children huge choice of dressing up clothes and see if any make cross gender choices you can then watch them for consistency and maybe suss out with the parents if they are ok at home. No need to ask the direct questions if little Chardonnay always puts boys clothes and seems a whole lot happier when she does.
I used to be in dungarees all the time when I was little, then trousers, I hated dresses. But I knew I was a girl. I just got confused about liking other boys or girls until I was old enough to realise I like both

[Cloverjo]

When my son was small he loved clacking around in my high heels. His dad was convinced he was gay. He's grown up to be very not gay. There was a boy at his school who had a crush on him, but he was definitely not tempted.

Regarding the OP, I don't think 8 year olds are asked to choose their gender, but to be aware that not everyone falls neatly into a male/female scheme.

[murraymints]

kids are not daft and their natural curiosity leads to acceptance and questions for clarification if needed... no need to thrust it upon them...

[ummmm]

Nail on the head, Jo.

[ummmm]

Their natural curiosity leads to acceptance? What planet are you on?

If not taught from a young age it leads to bullying because it's alien to them.

[murraymints]

ummm..that is my experience and if all you want is an argument ..go play with your other wee friend !