Learning about transgender issues

NotCarylChurchill

Don't be ridiculous. The very first question anyone would ask someone who is considering transitioning is whether they have gender dysphoria.

It's not a bloody game.

Welshmoth

I just wanted to address the point where you said she hadn't heard of gender dysphoria. Has she asked her friend?

If her friend doesn't have it, why is she considering transitioning in the first place?

If she is a young lesbian online she will be subjected to intense pressure to consider herself trans. Purely on the basis of not being a heterosexual, feminine woman.

If you don't have gender dysphoria, the only reason to transition is either internalised homophobia, or a lifestyle choice where escaping objectification becomes paramount.

I'm assuming that somewhere like the Tavistock clinic would establish first whether there was any diagnosis of GID. And send anyone away who didn't have it.

That would be my first question. To establish whether the motivation is dysphoria.

Sorry FirstShinyRobe I misunderstood your post

At the risk of godwining the thread, though, if those within the system who are at the sharp end don't stand up, then who? To whom are we looking to take the lead?

It's a real problem, I agree. I don't think most teachers have much of a voice either though. I think head teachers and school governors are the ones in a position to take the lead - people higher up the food chain. And whoever's job it is to choose teaching resources, although I don't know how much leeway they would have either. Parents have more freedom to object too, although not much power.

Complaining about pink hard hats in construction might annoy some people but it's not the political hot potato that trans issues are, especially in a field like teaching.

Good luck for today, WelshMoth

Welshmoth, who in the school OKs these talks? Does someone get to see it first, or is it a talk that's been given for years and has changed in content recently?

I know. I do understand. And I was addressing Katnisnevergreen's polyanna pov that seems to take everyone's opinion as valid. Pomo nonsense in the face of science. And it's harming children who are trying to make sense of the world. I know you know that too - I'm not fighting, just frustrated.

At the risk of godwining the thread, though, if those within the system who are at the sharp end don't stand up, then who? To whom are we looking to take the lead? I work in construction so I'm still rolling my eyes at pink hard hats as a means to get women into the industry. I do what I can, but have no meaningful voice beyond my social circle and writing to my mp.

Really, if a school is teaching biological reproduction in one room & that you can be whatever sex you want in another, then there is something amiss.

Of course there is something amiss!

I've 'acquiesced' in the past, inasmuch as I have quietly not volunteered for a project I would have been good at, and which would have been good for my career - not in a teacher role but somewhere there was a gender policy we were obliged to follow. I didn't do it 'unthinkingly' I thought about it a hell of a lot and it still makes me angry now, 3 years later. I 'acquiesced' because I needed the fucking job!

OP could be on extremely thin ice if she goes in with 4th wave now and transgender trend and the school are all gires and mermaids. If she's in a position where she can afford the risk and she wants to take it then fantastic, but she should go in with her eyes open.

It's a steaming pile of shit that stinks to high heaven but it's where we're at.

Honestly, it's like the geography teachers giving lessons on the water cycle in one room & next door some outside group with fancy power points telling the pupils that hamsters in the sky pissing themselves causes rain. But, both sides and all that.

Really, if a school is teaching biological reproduction in one room & that you can be whatever sex you want in another, then there is something amiss.

Dont worry, feminists will still be around to scoop up brains when the open mindedness causes them to fall out. That the GIRES & Mermaids stuff has even been allowed through the door is enough for me to question what is going on. The suicide rates being portrayed as fact, along with the rates of violence when it is proven that these are derived from statistics that have no bearing on students within a UK population are not one of a side. They are propaganda and that the teachers of our youth are swallowing them wholesale is a total travesty.

Wake up. You are not being progress. You are being used. And you will be judged for your unthinking acquiescence to a cause that is damaging to women and children.

It would be hard to find a range of materials without bias. I used to rely on stonewll but wouldn't be too sure now.

The overall mood in schools is very much in one direction though, the official line anyway.

I don't think I am. I think you are too blinkered to accept my point of view.

I always enjoy having my successful career questioned by strangers on the internet.

Just try to see a different point of view. Just because you don't agree with it, doesn't mean it is automatically wrong

I think you are wilfully missing the entire point Kat. Are you really a teacher?!

The OP should ensure that she gives the student access to a range of materials without bias. Just because this doesn't fit with your personal opinion does not mean that a student should not be able to educate herself to both sides of the debate. Some of the 'anti-trans' material out there is equally biased and emotive to me.

A good teacher provides materials, they don't brainwash in any direction

Open mindedness is crucial in life. It's not always seen though.

Kat - you are completely missing my point above, and I think you are missing others' points too. No one is saying she should only see what is the most persuasive. I don't know how you took this from my post. I was saying, as the OP realised, that it takes a great amount of self-confidence and critical thinking skills to negotiate the minefield that is the debate between 'both sides' when the TRA side is not averse to some quite underhand persuasion army tactics and is largely the politically correct view even if it is illogical and full of holes.

Both sides?

Firstshinyrobe please don't be so patronising and dismissive of teachers thank you. Perhaps it is our duty to give both sides to students.

Same with politics, same with personal views, everything.

We are open minded and cannot influence students one way or the other, especially in a situation like this.

Please don't be fobbed off with a non gender critical approach. I have no idea why the teaching profession have abandoned all reason when it comes to this subject, but there needs to be a push back. It is so damaging to accept the TRA bullshit without questioning.

I agree that feminism, especially lesbian feminism would be a good idea. There's also a danger of going into extreme when the girl might only see trans as a name change and a short hairstyle.

What's your relationship to these girls? It sounds like you might work in a school where the 15 y/o is a pupil? If so you might not have much leeway to suggest resources. If I were you I'd check school policies first!

Transgender Trend have put together some resources for parents and for schools. I haven't looked through them in much detail though.

Feminism would be a good starting point, I reckon. For both of them.