Child identifies as a wolf ... WTF?

That particular incident was a hoax. That doesn't mean there aren't other real incidents.

But they clearly, obviously, demonstrably are men.

Saying they are not is like repeating a religious mantra. You're signalling something to others, for reasons best known to your self. But it has no basis in fact.

The difference is that I don’t think trans women are men and you do. I do think trans women belong in those spaces.

@WoodforTrees Thank you. My eldest lives in supported accommodation, and I see him regularly, We go to the local cat cafe, which is not only full of cats, but it is a quiet and relaxing environment. I would also like him to get to the point where he can have a cat or two.

And there, if you don't mind me making this observation, is first hand evidence that it is not 'normal' to identify as another species. @sosaad DC was - by her own telling - suffering a 'serious mental health crisis'. And if that lovely sounding relationship with cats helped him through - then great. But the 'ID' bit was clearly linked to being mentally unwell and this is why we should not be 'normalising' this.

When someone identifies as another species and wants to be taken seriously, they are either:

mentally unwell
attention seeking

I hope that isn't offensive to you @sosaad and further hope your DS is able to get a cat soon.

I think it’s ok if it doesn’t cause a massive disruption to the rest of the students in schools or colleagues in workplaces.

I’ve heard of a cat/child in a primary setting who miaows loudly interrupting the teacher all the time, and goes about scratching their classmates with their ‘claws’ because that’s what cats do. Clearly this isn’t fair and shouldn’t be indulged, what if a different pupil identifies as a dog and spends their whole time chasing the cat around the classroom?

Be who, and what you want to be, as long as it doesn’t cause direct harm to others.

My eldest son identified as a cat. It was an important part of his identity. It started when he was in a serious mental health crisis at the age of 16 and when he could not attend school and was not in hospital, he began to tame the semi-feral cats at his grandmother's farm. He found a role. He found acceptance. He came to admire some of the behaviours of the cats (their sisterhood, their maternal protection, their trust) and he learnt more about relationships and group behaviour from the dynamics of the cat colonies.

Support staff helped his to moderate his language. He would refer to his bed as his 'cat basket' and he would talk about the toilet as a 'litter tray'. The staff who worked with him accepted that he used these terms, but also made clear that they used different (more standard) vocabulary for these items.

He grew his nails long (like claws) and grew his hair long (like fur), but he kept his hair and nails very clean.

He is in his mid-twenties now. He accepts that the cat is his spirit animal, and he is now well enough to volunteer to work with cats. He collects 'lucky cats' and has stuffed toy cats because he cannot keep a cat in his supported flat. He hopes to move to accommodation soon where a pet cat or two may be allowed. However, he is aware that his anxiety may be overwhelming if he does get a pet cat.

My son's identity as an animal was part of a very complex situation involving family crisis, mental health crisis, neurodiversity and other factors. He needed professionals to work with him, not to negate the identity but rather so he could understand it. It was hard work.

And the conversation moved on. Which happens on discussion forums.

I do not think it is right to have males access specific female specific spaces like prisons, rape counselling, domestic abuse shelters, changing areas where women might feel vulnerable, lesbian dating events. Do you?

I do not think it is right for women not to be able to specify women-only services for intimate care when sick or disabled. Do you?

I do not think it is right for men to take women's opportunities in sports. Do you?

Yes, I guess I am 'obsessed' with the rights, dignity and safety of women. I'm proud of that. Some of these women are very vulnerable and have very little clout or society. I will be speaking up for them and no childish retorts are going to stop me.

This was a post about a child identifying as a wolf (though OP made sure to get a dig at trans people in there), not people accessing ‘sex specific spaces that don’t belong to them’. You made it about that. You’re obsessed. How many times has a trans person accessed a sex specific service or space that ‘belongs’ to you? I’m guessing never. Get a life.

I agree with that. Until people want access to sex specific spaces and services that don't belong to them.

No one needs you to affirm anything. No one cares what you think about their identity. You’re making it your business, when it’s not.

Isn't everybody, besides the OP with their original post "jumping in afterwards"?

I've no problem with "transpeople", those being: real people experiencing genuine life effecting trauma about their sex. I believe they need psychiatric help.

I do though object profoundly to spiteful, misogynist activist-types, that for example, love nothing more than intimidating women & girls by posting selfies of themselves on social media squawking in celebration that they've made their way into a women only space.

People are free to identify with/ as whatever they like: wolf, cat, dog turd, opposite sex or Salad Nicoise for all I care, but please, don't try to force me to participate and keep it out of schools....

Ridiculous nonsense - as is men in women's athletic or swimming. Just cheats

And, incase you are so totally obtuse that you can't see this, men pretending to be women and demanding access to their spaces is problematic for vulnerable women.

Affirming a child's feeling that there's something wrong with them because they don't align with gender stereotypes is disgraceful. Telling them that they are born 'in the wrong body' is an act of abuse.

This really isn’t new and I don’t connect it with trans people at all.

I am 60 and went to college with a boy who identified as a wolf. A werewolf more specifically. I also spent a year between ages 5-6 as a dog. I scampered around on all fours. Had a lovely time.

Can we not live and let live without making everything about the trans debate?

I don't think this is an accurate reflection of what's going on though.

No one is mocking anyone.

I have no issue with how anyone wants to present themselves, but I'm not going to affirm someone's belief that is obviously false.

And I do not accept that there is anything 'nasty' or 'hateful' about this. Ultimately reality matters.

I am really not sure how to explain to you why it’s nasty to spend so much time and energy on an Internet forum handwringing and mocking a tiny percent of the population who are just trying to live their lives. Is there really nothing else to be outraged about? Just trans people and kids who are claiming to be wolves? Honestly, get a life.

People are making a connection between kids 'identifying' as one thing that they biologically are not (a wolf) and another (the opposite sex).

That's a clear parallel. Why is it nasty?

If someone identified as a spider, and someone else came along and flattened and killed them, would they be done for murder

The original post and all those jumping in afterward. Conflating children identifying as animals with trans people. The transphobia on Mumsnet is absolutely unreal.

For goodness sake - nobody can think they're a wolf, FFS! anymore than a bloke in a dress and a wig actually truly believes he's a woman. All these narcissists want is for the rest of us to say that we think they are..

How can this be allowed in schools? No wonder so many people are voting for The Reform Party. They're the only ones speaking out against this s**t..

If the schools are actually happy to indulge this kid in this idiocy then education is truly doomed.

It is aside from funding from different authorities. It was a joke, a play on words, I know how to spell Academy, I wrote aCATemy, because alupinemy doesn't quite work and yes I know a wolf isn't a cat, but a bit of poetic license doesn't go amiss does it.

I identify as a premature retiree, with a toned size 12 body, stylish clothes and a group of great friends to meet up with for spa breaks and lunches. I have a healthy pension and love not having to work……😂no one else is going along with this identity though