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

[Workingmomof2]

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.

You know they used to say this about gay people…. 🙄

Definitely is a mental illness. Just like body dysmorphia

No I wouldn't approve either. Why are they putting ideas into young children's heads.

Fair enough. That is your choice, I do think a children's book is a lovely way of educating them. It is fine to wait till your child is older. But your overall view clearly shows that you'd rather your kids never properly learn about trans people ever, so I suppose for you it doesn't exactly matter.

Comparing the recent trans movement to the prejudice gay people suffered is really homophobic

I'd just keep hammering home that regardless of what the book sats girls can't become boys and Vice Versa, no matter how hard they wish/want.

I'd also explain that DC has every right to voice this in class and to their peers.

It's science and can't be refuted.

Agree with everything that @thirteenfiftyeight and @PriOn1 said. Not ok, I'd be unhappy too.

Yes this. I'm supposing a lot of people in this thread would also say no to teaching that gay people exist although there's nothing difficult to teach about that at all. The exact same as them knowing about straight couples really. Yet homophobia and transphobia will always exist.

Fair enough. That is your choice, I do think a children's book is a lovely way of educating them. It is fine to wait till your child is older. But your overall view clearly shows that you'd rather your kids never properly learn about trans people ever, so I suppose for you it doesn't exactly matter.

I'll be teaching them that sex is binary and can't be changed. I'll be teaching them that people can dress however they like and that liking pink doesn't make someone a woman. I'll be teaching them that some people believe so wholly in gender stereotypes that they believe a double mastectomy on healthy breasts makes someone a man.

Bit controversial choice for a primary school book. I would have though something like The boy at the back of the class or The boy in the striped pyjamas would be better choice.

It's more of a parental choice book.

Clearly you’re out of touch. Go read about what has been happening at GIDS. There is a medical scandal on the way that will be bigger than lobotomy and thalidomide combined.

Children should never be allowed to medically transition, social transition is now also being recognized as potentially harmful and thousands of young women have been harmed by puberty blockers, testosterone injections and radical mastectomies.

There is no evidence base to suggest this treatment is safe for young women and a great deal to show it’s harmful.

School is an excellent place for child to be studying this kind of book. So long as it has some literary merit (sorry, don't know the book), and the teacher is supporting analysis and discussion. Ask the teacher some questions about why it has been selected, check he/she has already read it, and ask about how the themes are going to be addressed. And read it yourself. As far as selecting a book for a class read, every parent has an opinion, and it's not always the same one- sometimes you have to let the professionals make the call.

My daughter is a butch lesbian.

Nobody was chopping off lesbian’s breasts and thinking you were a lesbian if you weren’t was harmless.

This is the exact opposite of harmless.

shows that you'd rather your kids never properly learn about trans people ever

A lot hinges upon what you mean by “properly”. That’s what people are concerned about.

Does it mean “some people believe they are born in the wrong body and identify with and live according to stereotypes attached to the opposite sex”?

Or does it mean “allow this girl with a penis to change next to you at PE, Lucy, or we will shame you and ostracise you for being an evil bigot”?

The boy in the striped pyjamas would cause more controversy. It's a very controversial book, doesn't tell the proper details of the Holocaust, many incorrect facts. It's also a very serious and triggering topic, young kids would be scared.

I love The boy at the back of the class though!!!! Highly recommend.

and the teacher is supporting analysis and discussion

I would be happy with the book choice if this was guaranteed but I'm not convinced. Best to choose a different book.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

No, I do agree with the fact that children should never be allowed to medically transition. It can be highly dangerous and should be a very well thought out decision. Don't see how this affects how gender dysphoria is NOT a mental illness, and also don't see how this affects why kids can't just know that trans people are there.

I wouldn’t be happy about this. Why are schools promoting and normalising gender dysphoria?

You can learn to ‘be kind’ towards others, including people experiencing these mental health issues. You don’t need to celebrate it, and I don’t want my children celebrating it.

Yep

Wheres the book of the child who wants to be skinny and so wants people to support them to attend weight watchers and feels so horrified by their body they want to harm themselves if people dont say things like 'yes we'll support you to lose weight'.

The teacher is supporting analysis and discussion aka ensuring the children are successfully indoctrinated and are able to express right think at the end of the sessions.

I don't know how anyone can face sending their children to school these days. I'm so glad mine have left.

My daughter read 'George' when she was 10. The main part of the story is more about George wanting to play Charlotte (from Charlotte's Web) in the school play.
It doesn't go into much detail about transitioning or anything.

What did the teacher say when you raised your concerns?

Who is confused?

No oh dear lord. Obviously it isn't okay for a person to just socially transition yet somehow be allowed to change next to the biological sex. When was that said?? That is horrible and the biological sex's needs should be taken into account.

As for the one about only wanting to be a different sex due to the stereotpyes based on the other gender, well that's just frankly ridiculous. It is so much more than that. You're very uneducated.

I don't get it, your issue, I truly don't understand it. Could you elaborate?

I've sat and watched 'everybody's talking about Jamie' today with my 9yr old son, who has long hair and paints his nails like his sisters do. The part of the film that affected him the most, or made him react the strongest, was when Jamie's dad called him disgusting and when he was banned from prom. To be sure you understand my point, my son doesn't want to be a girl, or a drag queen, but he does like being like his sisters as he's 9, and he doesn't like inequality or discrimination in any form. So what's your issue with the book?