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Original poster

Just out of parents night - 11 years new novel is about a boy who wants to be a girl

346 replies

Workingmomof2 · 22/02/2023 17:54

And the teacher was talking about it as a great book. I’m seriously not happy. Would I be unreasonable to raise this with the school. Why is this kind of idea even introduced to our children so young. No wonder they are all so confused.

OP posts:
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ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 17:57

Confused really. I don't see an issue introducing the idea to young kids - they're 11 though, not young at all really! Off to secondary soon. They should know about these things as they're normal. Trans people are normal so I'm struggling to see the problem. What do you have against your child knowing about trans people???

Out of curiosity, what is the book called?

Uptownswirl · 22/02/2023 17:59

instill critical thinking skills in your child and they can read absolutely anything and not be overly influenced by it. Encourage him to read it and pull it apart.

critical thinking is a life skill anyway so I can't see anyone objecting to this route

mamabear715 · 22/02/2023 17:59

I wouldn't be happy either.
Kids seem to be getting this stuff thrown at them right, left & centre. :-(
Let them just be KIDS, for Heaven's sake..

Streamside · 22/02/2023 18:04

I agree with the poster regarding the importance of critical thinking but I don't think an average 11 year old has developed that level of objectivity.I wouldn't be happy with my 11 yr old reading such a book although I'd read it myself before commenting to the school.

TidyDancer · 22/02/2023 18:05

This really isn't okay imo. What book is it? It's not a concept that should be promoted in any way, especially to children of such an impressionable age.

JanglyBeads · 22/02/2023 18:05

Do you mean y6, primary or y7, secondary?

Original poster
Workingmomof2 · 22/02/2023 18:06

Primary 7 so not High school. The book is called George.

OP posts:
thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:06

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 17:57

Confused really. I don't see an issue introducing the idea to young kids - they're 11 though, not young at all really! Off to secondary soon. They should know about these things as they're normal. Trans people are normal so I'm struggling to see the problem. What do you have against your child knowing about trans people???

Out of curiosity, what is the book called?

No. Completely disagree with this. Sounds a bit too 'hashtagbekind' to me

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 22/02/2023 18:07

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 17:57

Confused really. I don't see an issue introducing the idea to young kids - they're 11 though, not young at all really! Off to secondary soon. They should know about these things as they're normal. Trans people are normal so I'm struggling to see the problem. What do you have against your child knowing about trans people???

Out of curiosity, what is the book called?

Normal how?

thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:08

Streamside · 22/02/2023 18:04

I agree with the poster regarding the importance of critical thinking but I don't think an average 11 year old has developed that level of objectivity.I wouldn't be happy with my 11 yr old reading such a book although I'd read it myself before commenting to the school.

Agree. Maybe when they're 14/15, but not 11 years old and still in primary.

I would love to understand where the west's obsession with all-things-trans has come from. It's everywhere.

StillWeRise · 22/02/2023 18:08

what is the title of the book?

I can easily imagine a book about, say, an arty, sensitive boy who gets teased....feels rejected...hears its possible to 'change sex'...realises he fancies boys but afraid of being gay...starts asking parents to take him to Dr...then meets an older gay man, who, is an amazing dancer/artist/musician....who is happily married....boy sees that being gay is OK and men can be creative...and grows up happy in himself

has this book been written? if not it should be

Xrays · 22/02/2023 18:08

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 17:57

Confused really. I don't see an issue introducing the idea to young kids - they're 11 though, not young at all really! Off to secondary soon. They should know about these things as they're normal. Trans people are normal so I'm struggling to see the problem. What do you have against your child knowing about trans people???

Out of curiosity, what is the book called?

I agree. I have a Ds the same age as the ops and I would have no issue with this whatsoever.

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 18:09

thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:06

No. Completely disagree with this. Sounds a bit too 'hashtagbekind' to me

Show quote history

Sorry for being "hastagbekind" I suppose.

I'm clearly in the minority, but just would like to understand a bit more. If not now, when would you be comfy with your 11 year old knowing about trans people? If it helps, I do agree the teacher should have asked before handing the book to the children as it is ultimately the parents choice.

thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:11

Yeah my 11 will know trans people exist (because it's everywhere) but we'll have the conversation at home and that's that.

No need to have books in school about it.

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 18:11

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 22/02/2023 18:07

Normal how?

Show quote history

They are human beings with human feelings. They are normal and should not be treated as otherwise. I personally don't see why you wouldn't tell your DC about them, but obviously that is my opinion.

cansu · 22/02/2023 18:11

Maybe you should read it before being annoyed. It may well deal with it well. Plus it is not as if failing to talk about it is going g to mean your kids don't know about transgender people or about gender worries.

thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:11

Considering they make up a vanishingly small percentage of the population I would argue it's not 'normal' in the most basic sense of the word.

FatGirlSwim · 22/02/2023 18:13

Sounds like a good book to me. Have a dc that are and would be happy for her to read it. In fact, I might get it for her.

thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:15

FatGirlSwim · 22/02/2023 18:13

Sounds like a good book to me. Have a dc that are and would be happy for her to read it. In fact, I might get it for her.

So stunning so brave

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 18:16

thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:11

Considering they make up a vanishingly small percentage of the population I would argue it's not 'normal' in the most basic sense of the word.

You could say this for a whole lot of things though. Doesn't take away the importance of learning about them. Just because they're in the minority doesn't mean we should just ignore them.

PriOn1 · 22/02/2023 18:16

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thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:18

You could say this for a whole lot of things though. Doesn't take away the importance of learning about them. Just because they're in the minority doesn't mean we should just ignore them.

Not in primary school. Absolutely no need.

thirteenfiftyeight · 22/02/2023 18:18

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YES HARD AGREE

ourflagmeansdeath · 22/02/2023 18:19

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Original poster
Workingmomof2 · 22/02/2023 18:20

I’m not trans phobic. It’s just that at my local high school there are so many trans people and it’s now no wonder, kids shouldn’t worry about this.

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