How do you protect your children from getting sucked into and brainwashed by this?

[jewishmum]

For reference I have one very young child of each sex.

What @Leafstamp said.

Bumping up as I would like to know the answers to this too. I wany my children protected from any trans indoctrination but it's everywhere. Will all the cute marketing I can see how it's obvious that children can get sucked in.

Teach simple, straightforward biology.

Counter any disinformation early.

Teach them that any child can play with any toy.

Anyone can wear what they want.

Teach them that some people are same sex attracted.

Unfortunately you may need at some point to tell them that their teachers are wrong. This is hard and yes, it erodes and undermines trust. This is the trouble with teaching an ideology.

Monitor Internet usage.

Practise LOTS of active listening.

@ArabellaScott thank you. It's very concerning & I want to do all I can to protect & keep my dc safe. So many things for kids seem to have hidden messages I wouldn't understand. It's a minefield.

It is tricky and concerning, yes. Some are more at risk, of course. Girls, children with ASD, children with trauma in their histories.

If you're aware and educate yourself you can get ahead of it. I became aware a little too late and though my two have escaped the worse, so far, they are both trans rights especially the youngest. Your kids might get friends who identify as trans so prepare them for that. Obviously, they can be friends but how they negotiate new names and pronouns, if that comes up...I don't know. It's not right to put children on the front line of this. The schools and adults behind this and cheering it on should be ashamed. In some instances they should be sacked. In some instances they should be jailed. Imo.

@IcakethereforeIam thank you, that's what I'm hoping for I'm really trying to get ahead of the curve & know exacting wtf is out there & happening. DH is gender critical but is very oblivious to how trans sweeping children's culture.. He keeps saying it won't happen our dc..
They don't game or have access to the Internet or social media. This doesn't bother them at all..it was a conscious decision of mine. If needed for homework I'm in the room. Whats out there, pop up ads etc scares the fuck out of me. I won't be pressured into letting them online..
I'm also consciousness about books, they are avid readers but babysitters club is banned! I'm sure there was a booklist on here a while ago about what to avoid, I'll do a search.
I can't wrap them in cotton wool & there will be exposure but as long as I'm their mother & they are in my house I'll do my very best to keep this dangerous brainwashing out of their lives...

Unless they are trans, which is highly unlikely as there are so few, I wouldn't let it worry you. And if they are, then it's a blessing, and there are many jewish trans kids living rather happily. Don't buy into the fear - we are better than that.

Being trans is not catching. Rapid onset infection is a total myth spread by interviewing trans hostile parents. It's really not something you need to worry about.

@Suncreamweather what is promising is that there seems to be a shift in younger teens to move away from focussing on identities and labelling themselves. Not surprising as time moves on and those behaviours are associated with the now older generations as they have moved from being teenager to young adults into boring old grown ups.

@RoseslnTheHospital my niece in secondary said pronouns are "so last year" so you may be right! She never used them as she has a very girly name so "everyone who knows me knows I'm a girl, it's a no brainse".. She's 17 & GC as are her friends.. Some of her close friends are gay & bi but at the same time GC .. She has no trans identifying kids in her class.. So I really do hope the tide is turning in the younger generations.. My niece will be a good mentor for my dc, they worship her as it is!

Oh, 100% the fashion is already on the wane. Most teenagers are quick witted enough to understand coercion, manipulation and bullshit, and most are already over this.

What is likely to happen, unfortunately, is that the more vulnerable children will be caught up in this ideology, as is already the case. It's them who need support and understanding. Let's hope the Cass Report is helpful when it comes out later on this year.

My oldest daughter is probably lesbian, possibly autistic and very into cosplay and manga. I show loads of interest in her obsessions and outgeek her in her hobbies. I teach maths and computer science and am fairly gender non conforming in my personality. Up until puberty, she usually wore boys clothes and I never batted an eyelid. She still would never be seen dead in a skirt, but is definitely embracing a much more feminine (but punky) look as she comes through puberty. I let her have quite a lot of freedom online, but only on the basis that she keeps me in the loop. I watch a lot of YouTube with both my kids, so I’m just trying to stay on the inside, rather than get caught out of the loop.

As a secondary teacher, I’d definitely say being trans was catching, and declaring yourself non binary even more so. I’ve already jumped the gun and declared myself non binary at home long ago, so I don’t think it has much shock appeal for my kids anymore. (I have years of photos of myself with a shaved head and pin stripe suits to back it up).

I've laid a firm foundation of love of science and understanding of natural history / biology. The eldest is also naturally in love with history. So it allows some early discussion around evolution, evidence, and with the older one facts and truth. Sources etc. debate.

All this.

Later on books -1984, handmaid tale- wild swans, Invisible Women - stuff that shows world gone mad or provokes questions.

Allowing clothes toy choices despite sex and have attitude it's not a big deal-the world can make this harder DGP and schools and other kids.

Watch what is beings in youth groups and school - where it came from with my DC. Probably also make sure sex ed at home is clear - as y6 stuff was confusing with gay/lesbian/trans thrown in with where babies come from.

Accept it is in their peer groups - may be their friends even - though moving for education 6th form/uni can help adjust groups - don't argue against stuff where possible ask questions and point out right clashes/issues and ask more questions- and hope they come out unscathed and slightly more cynical.

South parks interesting - just found we have it with a subscription we have - and kids have all heard of it but not seen any.

@TripleDaisySummer just be aware that south park is pretty politically incorrect but it takes a swipe at everyone. it's very funny, no compromises and that's presumably why it's weathered cancel culture- it's too well-liked (too lucrative)! lots on it that shouldn't be repeated so kids need a certain amount of social maturity to understand that. but it sounds like yours are older/in high school?
and yes, in the end you just have to trust that they'll navigate through.
As you say, they may well have friends/acquaintances who are invested in trans stuff. my son's into skateboarding and it can be a pretty woke culture- eg female-only skater nights and competitions which, of course, are open to boys/men in dresses (makes me fume!!). son thinks that very unfair but understands the need to tread carefully. he has gay friends who aren't immersed in gender ideology which i think is great.
my daughter says several kids in her class- 13-14 yr olds- have questioned gender ideology in phse lessons recently. all very hopeful, especially for those with younger children.

@GingerPushkin thanks for the warning but I started watching South park over 20 years ago - used to come home from a summer job late and watch it to unwind before bed.

I have seen odd episodes in last few years when caught it channel flipping - just a blind spot that it hadn't occurred to me that they are old enough to watch it now.

Being trans is not catching. Rapid onset infection is a total myth spread by interviewing trans hostile parents. It's really not something you need to worry about.

Well, that's that settled! I'm sure MishiJDI off of Mumsnet knows better than the President of WPATH. https://thepostmillennial.com/president-of-leading-trans-org-admits-social-contagion-is-driving-surge-in-kids-identifying-as-transgender

I guess it depends on the child. Case by case basis in what works with different personalities. From being tiny, I’ve always taught my children to ignore gender stereotypes and I’ve let them follow whatever interests they want to follow. My eldest (boy) now year 8 seems very comfortable with his identity. He has a really lovely secure friendship group who all seem to be of the same mindset as him - they see the gender agenda as very mainstream and they want to be different so that’s a bonus. It’s certainly not every teenager who buys into the whole gender business. Against that backdrop I made sure I got in first with the trans chat and said I was totally cool if he wanted to change his name and wear a dress. Of course like any self respecting teenager as soon as I’d normalised it and made it sound boring he immediately rolled his eyes and told me I was being extremely cringey. In other words, by getting in there first I didn’t given him anything to rebel against or shock me with. That’s works for us though because he’s basically secure in his identity and I knew he wouldn’t take up my ‘offer’. I hope though he knows he can always talk to me about any worries he has, should any come up. I’d rather he feels he can talk to me first than having to start Googling this stuff.
My youngest is only in year 5 so still plenty of time for things to change but at the moment she’s very black and white. I’ve given her a basic précis of the situation and for the time being she’s in full on GC mode. To the extent that on a recent form she brought home from school she crossed out the word gender and replaced it with sex. I worry she’s going to have to tone it down a bit or I think she might get bullied at secondary school.

This.
I'm entitled to my opinions, they're entitled to theirs.

Pmsl 😂yes we will be quoting MishiMD in 20 years time when this current generation is the next "me too" generation & all the law suits inevitably kick in.. They're already starting.

That's an excellent way of looking at it almost reverse psychology in a way! Just like my niece says pronouns are so last year & are seen as uncool in the teen generation now!

Send them to a school where the kids are more concerned about where there next meal will come from. Dealing with actual life issues leaves less time for navel gazing.

1. Don't have autistic children (autistic children are much more likely to identify as trans)
2. Don't be homophobic (gay children in homophobic households are much more likely to identify as trans)
3. Make sure your children aren't abused (victims of abuse are much more likely to have gender dysphoria/body dysmorphia and therefore identify as trans)

Those are the three things that have the biggest impact on if children identify as trans. I'd also say have the kind of household where issues are debated so they are happy to have discussions about political issues. Value nuance and question all black and white views on all issues (my kids hate this but it is beginning to seep through). Model gender non-conforming behaviour, and question their assumptions about gender stereotypes. Let toys be toys. Encourage habits that improve good mental health so healthy eating, lots of physical activity, lots of real life social interactions. Minimise mirrors in the house. Delay then minimise social media.

When they are older (my DDs are teenagers) be aware that your child may well have trans identifying friends and so don't use language they might find hateful but concentrate on safety concerns. We've spoken about the damage binders can do to developing breast tissue and the long term impact of puberty blockers on intelligence and sexual function, the impact of testosterone has on the female body and what a big operation a double mastectomy is and I've explained that mothers are don't want children to make decisions that have long term impacts they can't appreciate yet (while saying clearly that adults have the choice. Although they also know I think cosmetic surgery is not a good thing). We've also talked about toilets and what the best solution is to allow everyone to feel comfortable - we agree on having a third space. We've spoken about Dylan Mulveney and the fuss about their advertising contracts and what we think is fuelled by transphobia and what we think is a reasonable concern. I tell them how happy I am that we can talk about these issues and how important it is to listen to the reasonable voices on both sides and constantly question your own views.

@JaninaDuszejko thank you so much, great points & you sound like a wonderful clued in mum. I think being clued in & knowing exactly what's going down is half the battle.