How is child safeguarding being undermined by gender activism?

[DuchessEliza]

I see that talking about child safeguarding is very much disapproved of (I mean, that’s why Lang was banned, wasn’t it?). So I thought it might be useful to bring together our thoughts on how gender ideology potentially undermines child safeguarding. In one place for future reference. Does anyone more expert than me have any thoughts?

Work in the field - I am generally toeing the party line; careful but not open. Some of our looked after children start to transition, and live socially in other ‘gender role’. I urge caution when medical appointments etc come up, raising evidence about effect of hormone blockers etc. I have raised within my team and have had to present a very balanced view, including what the affirmation model argues, without expressing a preference though anyone really listening would see the nuance and get my view.

My colleagues said they had to ‘stop making assumptions - as even you (me!) could be a man, you never know,’ I raised a very high eyebrow, but did not feel able to directly challenge at risk of losing my job.

I have not yet had a case on my desk where a parent was directly influencing a child to transition (or preventing them from), but I am expecting this to happen soon. I am worried, I don’t feel I would be supported by my local authority or BASW if I challenged a child’s shorter-term wishes on behalf of a child’s longer-term interests.

Very similar thread running here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3801909-Safeguarding-re-transgenderism-discussion-thread

The majority of the trans guidance issued to schools by various lobby groups undermines aspects of safeguarding ( Working Together 2018, Keeping children safe in education 2019). In particular:
Parental alienation - lobby groups are advising schools that they can transition children in secret without telling parents. Only the courts can remove parental rights / responsibilities - a complex process - yet political lobby groups tell schools they can do this.

Teachers are told that they can keep confidences from gender non conforming children. Safeguarding guidance in schools is centred on sharing information.

Adults from these lobby groups, usually with no qualifications in child psychology, safeguarding or educating children are being allowed to dictate to schools how they must educate and organise children and adolescents in relation to SRE, child development (born in the wrong body), sex and sexuality, psychology, physical education, use of changing rooms and toilets etc. The guidelines issued touch on all aspects of all children's life in school yet teachers and schools are too intimidated to challenge this with allegations of 'transphobia' and bigotry effectively silencing questions. This fundamentally de skills educators who have considerable expertise in supporting children with all manner of emotional and educational needs.

Techniques of coercive control are used to force children to erode their own boundaries and accept they must undress in front of the opposite sex and use toilets alongside them. Sanctions, humiliation and active exclusion from changing rooms alongside accusations of bigotry are used to intimidate children and ensure compliance.

All of the groups involved are political lobby groups - nothing wrong with that except that lobby groups are meant to be barred from directly influencing children while in schools.

Girl Guides.

Boys who transition to girls are allowed to join. They are allowed to share a tent, loos and shower block with other guides. Guiders are not allowed to ask permission from other parents or even let them know. They are not allowed to make an informed choice.

Leaders who have expressed concern about this have been chucked out of guides.

Just looking at a few examples from government guidance on the law, you can see that keeping the family involved is central. Keeping secrets from families and making major decisions that will affect children's health and development is contrary to this.

"A child-centred approach to safeguarding

10.This child centred approach is fundamental to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child. A child centred approach means keeping the child in focus when making decisions about their lives and working in partnership with them and their families.

11.All practitioners should follow the principles of the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 -that state that the welfare of children is paramount and that they are best looked after within their families, with their parents playing a full part in their lives, unless compulsory intervention in family life is necessary."

(Working Together To Safeguard Children, page 8)

"14.Anyone working with children should see and speak to the child; listen to what they say; take their views seriously; and work with them and their families collaboratively when deciding how to support their needs." (page 9)

Statutory requirements for children in need:

"...local authorities undertake assessments of the needs of individual children and must give due regard to a child’s age and understanding when determining what, if any, services to provide. Every assessment must be informed by the views of the child as well as the family, and a child’s wishes and feelings must be sought regarding the provision of services to be delivered. "

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/779401/Working_Together_to_Safeguard-Children.pdf

The idea that a child preferring certain clothes or toys has any bearing on their sex (or 'gender') is regressive, ridiculous, and potentially harmful.

Feminists and generally sensible people have spent time and energy reassuring children that gender roles are at least mostly invented by society, and that they shouldn't feel limited by stereotypes. Now, it seems children are to pick which stereotype they prefer and adapt their life and body to suit it.

I think breaking down boundaries (recent Smiggle campaign, Let Toys be Toys, Let Clothes be Clothes) between stereotyped gender roles is crucial.

Also, there's been progress in reducing stigma around same-sex gay and lesbian relationships, but there's always work to be done so that children and young people don't feel pressured into conformity or feel that they are 'wrong', somehow.