what other family members or friends will think of you, your child and your family. And some parents feel relieved, especially if their child has expressed a gender-diverse identity from childhood. Research suggests that gender is something we are born with; it can't be changed by any interventions. Girl, diverse, boy - who decides what gender your child is? Transgender/gender diverse is a term used to describe a person who doesn’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth (YGender & Minus 18). Their preferences for toys, clothing, sports, activities, playmates, hair Gender diverse children may express themselves in many different ways. ޥc����jK�v u{�ː\f#^ڣ;=h�������܀T�t���8��u�!��36��R�����Ϣf��H'�†�7�-%D.Ev����[�Ҡ�V��j6��R=����7��$N2�����5��'8�.�آⳜ0'�6�XK��Ӫ��u戬�Xj��� ls0r���ed��>������? You might also worry about what to say to strangers who comment on your child’s appearance or behaviour. Gender dysphoria: feeling that your gender does not match your assigned gender – may or may not cause significant distress – any age. It’s normal to struggle with supporting your child through a process that you might not be comfortable with or feel that you don’t fully understand. Others find this makes things more difficult. stream Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner. Young children may think of gender as one of many personal characteristics. x���r����3���d�G"�{��ߠ���i�j���닫өYܶ���������������f��5��~w��a~�G?�Ͳ=\^Fo�^G�?�����^��⴨D��B�E�E�$�����$γDT�b����������>�;|������ww&yt�z�BA�dyT�E�F7�?�ִ��}I���ϓh�{t�ח/~�!T r����(��������(��[�[G�v7���T��Ǧ�H{�,jg�y�a:�&?�����/��x��n>�2�&?G�~������a�{��n*�X�>��C�@wǩ���3�LZ��[���уf�������~�'Z�n������:��.�[�5�%��q1?#��0;��X�qQ�����w �I,sM�[d��PL��~2Mgr��OK���l\s���K }��*$�wH��"qU�k���tV; For example, you might like them to use your child’s preferred name and pronoun. What is transgender/gender diverse? People who agree with the gender identity they were given at birth are called cisgender. Ask your child’s teachers how they support gender expression and what they teach about gender identity at school. Youth: Improving School Climate. Talking to health specialists. If your child tells you that they identify as a gender that’s different from the sex they were given at birth, there’s no ‘right’ way to feel.. It can also be hard to live with uncertainty. The GP can refer your child to a mental health professional. Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Who are gender-diverse youth? You can also help your children understand what’s happening to their brother or sister. By: Jason Rafferty MD, MPH, EdM, FAAP. It is not designed to give medical or psychological expertise and advice on working with trans and gender diverse children. Pamphlet 05. It can help if you learn more about gender identity. Many families have experienced or are experiencing similar challenges coming to terms with their child’s gender identity. For example, if someone asks or comments on your son wearing a dress, you could say, ‘I think it’s great when children can express themselves, and I’m really proud of my child’. It’s normal to worry about how family members or friends will react. You can get a referral to a GP from a gender clinic. 2 0 obj Some parents want to know the sex of the unborn child, some are surprised. In it, you will find, an introduction to gender identity development, an outline of what schools are responsible for, what rights your child has, an exploration of some of the issues that gender diverse students face, and a guide to transition planning. Supporting your Gender Diverse Child: a guide to support parents, guardians, and caregivers who advocate for their trans, intersex, Two Spirit, and gender diverse children and youth in the Ontario Education System. If your child tells you that they identify as a gender that’s different from the sex they were given at birth, there’s no ‘right’ way to feel. What intersexuality means and why it is not a disease "What will it be? This way, staff can offer support if they notice that your other children are having a hard time. If this happens, it’s important for you to stop the name-calling and guide your other children towards more positive behaviour. Even if you’ve wondered about your child’s gender identity for a while, it might still be confronting to hear your child put it into words. Diverse Populations and Communities Diverse Populations and Communities. For example, you might ask, ‘How do you feel about your brother wanting to use a new name?’ or ‘Are other children talking about it at school?’. <>>> Don't blame your child for experiencing discrimination. Creating a safe space for a child to explore their gender identity will contribute to positive mental health outcomes. There’s no right way to tell other people, but it’s important to respect your child’s wishes and tell other people only if your child wants you to. Gender Expression. <> Besides, the results of an study in this topic showed that there's a small difference in attendance when the director is a woman. There’s only one surefire way to know whether your child is gender-diverse: Ask them. All rights reserved. You might choose to tell family and friends face to face or you might want to write to them. Before you tell family and friends, it can help to think about what you expect from them. This resource is meant to help guide you and your child in the Ontario education system. Child welfare professionals across the country work with children, youth, and families from varied backgrounds and communities with their own unique strengths, needs, and challenges. �-M & ���~�$t�>k��ғw!�1�o�G�5� ��uK�dk�B�H�X*�芀����e�%bT�{�����D�M�����oSb^-�TxG������o�j��Tz�=)�y�Qz����q�U�j�w�6$�t��aʂ�7�=zJb�PR�s-�$�{� �!�h�f��|���M}�5bMc�u�Ae[ ��G�r,n����ZM�%I�Y�Q�ն�W��&�=Pm�!u4Z�!9���p�08Q\]���I����g�$q����ޜ Some parents talk about feeling grief or loss at the thought of ‘losing’ the son or daughter they thought they knew. Transgender/gender diverse people may identify with being male, female, both, or a gender that doesn’t fit into either of those. If the news is sudden and unexpected, you might feel shocked. Every child, parent and staff member should feel that he/she belongs. 4 0 obj My family and I got back from a two-week long road trip last night. Gender identity can be fluid, and your child might still be working out how they identify themselves. For information on current social support services in the NT, contact NTAHC. Every child, parent and staff member is empowered to develop the diverse aspects of his/her different identities. The following definitions are intended to provide a framework for discussion about gender – physical sex, assigned sex, gender identity, gender role, gender presentation, and perceived gender. But siblings can also feel upset and struggle to understand and accept the changes. When a child is born, doctors and parents typically label that child as a girl or a boy. But some children and teenagers in all cultures identify as a gender that’s different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Attending to all these contextual contexts through enhanced educational opportunities for healthcare providers present an important opportunity for the provision of personalized care. This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Parenting a gender-diverse child can leave some parents with a lot of questions and concerns for their child's wellbeing. We know that parents who are well supported are better able to support their children; and that feeling connected, safe and included plays a vital part in creating strong and resilient families. Will it be a boy or a girl?" @F�u�#�f�$#�p�b�|������{R,�� �8�(��ktǁ����̺z���N�w�|DD0*WF�=�E,R�I>�n��.���G�AԬ���h�Ekm5IY��9�p�#�F Cv+��C�h1�9CC�h��8��A_����!�،�[�n'6;�P��X���) �x#���sӬ�d����V;ai����q��O�B6U.�6�׸�%y���D Q�@��{n�JZ2��BwqG����Z�T9i]PH���d��B�d?B�O�"���I�b��8-��7������[�>���p�[�:9�U1_��Y�� �%wF��� %��. Our Journey Parenting a Gender Diverse Child. endobj If you’re worried about your other children and how they’re coping, speaking to your GP is a good first step. Because being gender diverse or transgender is not that common, families generally don’t expect to have a child who is gender diverse or transgender. Gender diverse care considers the cultural contexts of the youth member, family, healthcare provider, local communities and the larger society. However, there is no way of knowing whether the child will grow up to agree with the gender identity they were given as a baby. Non-binary refers to a child who may not be exclusively male or female. It’s also a good idea to tell staff at your other children’s schools what’s going on. They may use %���� (Adobe Stock) Your daughter cries every time you try to put her in a dress. Gender identity is one aspect of a person. It’s also important to get support for yourself, especially if you’re worried or feeling anxious. Other parents feel guilty and wonder if it’s their fault. Many people don’t understand what it means to be transgender or gender diverse, so some parents or family members struggle when their child comes out as transgender or gender diverse. Find opportunities to show your child that transgender and gender-diverse people exist and belong to many communities who appreciate and love them. Many families say that their other children are the first to support and affirm their gender-diverse sibling. %PDF-1.5 .|:�=��&�̭���d�=�A]�͑�ˑoNR����=j}Ev������#�+}��B4m�ǩ�:}�ٲ1��l This resource provides an overview of ways to support a child who is questioning their gender identity or who has come out as trans or gender diverse. Your GP is your first point of call for your child’s healthcare. Don't try to shame or punish the gender expression out of your child. It’s important that your child decides who they want to tell about being gender diverse. Your GP is a good place to start. You may have missed some signs because you didn’t know what to look for and because your child or loved one … endobj Gender-diverse organisations also enjoy heightened levels of creativity, innovation and problem-solving. gender based on physical biology (female or male). 1 0 obj As discussed in Lesson One, each of us has multiple identities, or multiple aspects of ourselves. This implies an active policy to take into account family cultures and preferences when constructing the curriculum. It is natural for parents to have questions, and this document, jointly created by the Biden Foundation, Gender Spectrum, and the Movement Advancement Project, highlights resources geared toward answering … Gender. There are many doctors that can be involved in helping your child and family. But sometimes you might need to tell people like the school principal or your child’s teachers. Our Gender Health program is an exclusively pediatric, multidisciplinary gender health program providing compassionate and comprehensive care for transgender and gender-diverse youth. About 1 in 150 people are gender diverse (or transgender). It was so great. Your child asks you to start using “they/their/them” as their preferred pronouns. If friends or family react negatively or have questions, you could give them some information about gender diversity, or tell them that you’re happy to answer any questions. © 2006-2020 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. Gender diverse children (also known as gender non-conforming, gender creative, or gender variant) express their gender in ways that are not consistent with socially prescribed gender roles or identities. If the news is sudden and unexpected, you might feel shocked. At birth, a child is legally assigned a . Most children grow up thinking of themselves as a girl or a boy and don’t question their gender. Transgender and gender diverse children might choose to temporarily suppress puberty through the use of prescription medications called pubertal blockers. Note, first, that even researchers and clinicians disagree about the use of the words sex and gender. Do you know yet? Don't block your child's access to gender-diverse friends, activities or resources. Your GP will talk to you about your child’s health, how you and your child are feeling. To reach us please contact me directly, Akiko Asano at info@gendercreativekids.ca Thank you. Don't prevent your child from expressing gender in public or at family activities to avoid it making you or someone else uncomfortable. in Young Children. So, rather than predicting or preventing who a child may become, it is better to value them for who they are now, even at a … >1E>i �|2�'-"����=���g����-��[��=r�G��&3k�w��_E�|ѐ�X: <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 594.96 842.04] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Your child’s diverse gender identity and your feelings. Key Terms and Concepts in Understanding Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation among Students. Step 3. If your child doesn’t want to let others know about their gender identity, it’s important to respect your child’s wishes. For example, you might say, ‘When Tom was born we thought he was a boy, but he doesn’t feel like a boy on the inside’. There are several Australian peer and social support groups for transgender and gender diverse children, their parents and families. Gender is a spectrum and the number of school aged young people who identify as trans and gender diverse is currently cited as 1.2% and 2.5% respectively by the Telethon Kids Institute at the Princess Margaret Hospital in WA and The Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service in Melbourne. 3 0 obj We offer monthly parent and children groups (for gender creative, intersex and trans* kids along with their siblings from the ages of 5-14), peer parental support and training and education to anyone who requests our services. Your teenage son begins going by a stereotypically feminine name. Your child may feel like the ‘opposite’ gender, between genders or experience their gender in a way that is unique to them. These are the questions pregnant women often get to hear. Gender-diverse identities and expressions are not mental disorders, but suppressing gender concerns can harm a child's emotional health and development and possibly contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Parents of Gender Diverse Children works hard to give a voice to parents and those parenting transgender and gender diverse children. But deciding to … A national survey (Kosciw, Greytak, Bartkiewicz, Boesen, & Palmer, 2012) finds that gender diverse … It might help to get in touch with a parent support group like Transcend or Parents of Gender Diverse Children. This paper reflects on the types of support that siblings might need as families adjust to a child’s gender transition. Gender Diverse and Sexual Minority Children and . If your GP isn’t familiar with or supportive of gender diversity in childhood, it’s OK to find another GP. Wheeler, Langton, Lidster and Dallos use qualitative research to provide an insight into young people’s experience of having a gender diverse sibling. Some children and teenagers find it’s easier when people at school or in the community know about their gender identity. How a gender diverse child or young person presents depends greatly on their family, social and cultural context - their experience of stigma. <> Talking with your other children about their feelings and how the situation is affecting them can help a lot. �v���[K����(��тT �Mh݃�5��p(k|39���=Ek�]w�JAȵ��y�r�@w2.���A�V)�ȈV���4d�Z�W$�G:�/ے8��AZV4jXpf �Y�c3�. how to keep your child safe, particularly if you live in a community where it’s not OK to be different from what people expect. endobj Some children find it hard to accept the changes and might tease their sibling or use hurtful names. 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