Gender change as a child

[Neversoft]

Well exactly, because it undermines a society blending boys and girls so that men act like complete wimps. Virtually all successful civilisations need the alpha male to provide and defend for them just as it is our basic human instinct that goes right back to when the males protected the small tribal group, it has been that way throughout history: dressing little Johnny up in a dress doesn't make you progressive, clever or compassionate. Infact, it is very strange and only confuses the poor children, as well as undermines his confidence in himself as a man.

Boys need role models to aspire too (Nelson, footballers, Churchill, masculine superheroes) & girls the same. Boys & girls are different, I won't pretend otherwise.

You are completely out of touch with the modern world. I don't look up to manly politicians, footballers and masculine superheroes, but will readily admire feminine icons, who I find as inspiring as any man; am I not 'normal' (you should use ordinary in the future)? Why am I defined - in your view - by my gender? That is regressive. I didn't ask to be born male and would expect to be treated, like everybody else, as an individual. If Johnny wants to wear a dress then he should be allowed to and feel comfortable doing so. Are you aware it was men who first wore tights and high heels? Is a ballet dancer a failure as a man? What bull****.

Females aren't as masculine naturally and thus for example don't inspire leadership or strength in the way a man does.

Wow.

It's interesting that the degenerate side of this debate wants to have all the little boys dress as their sisters and vice versa, and basically bring up a generation of losers - which is just what happened in education where by social scientists said not to push children into a certain field because they should do whatever makes them feel good: so you have a load of losers prancing about on stage feeling good

Just stop.

[Sian]

Considering normality is a social construct we can very easily change with proper understanding and compassion, then no matter your age we should encourage anyone, kids included, to do what makes them feel comfortable.

It certainly doesn't mean operations etc, but I do believe kids know if they dont feel right in there own bodies, dont force a child stereotype onto them, explore how they feel, understand them.

[Metric1]

I wanted to be a doctor and an astronaut when I was 7. I'm cringe at the sight of blood and I'm terrified of heights and flying. Who's to say "John" who's terrified of her vagina now isn't going to be terrified of her "penis" later.

[karter]

Gender change is reversible though (?) unless you're having reconstructive surgery and I think they don't do it on children (?). So if it turns out to be a "phase" then no harm I believe?

OT: I'd support my child if they decide that they're of the opposite gender but I can understand that parents may have objections regarding a child's safety if they opt for that.

[Empired]

I wanted to be a doctor and an astronaut when I was 7. I'm cringe at the sight of blood and I'm terrified of heights and flying. Who's to say "John" who's terrified of her vagina now isn't going to be terrified of her "penis" later.

I don't think John is terrified of her genitals I'm not entirely sure a fear of blood and heights is a good comparison to gender identity either :L And it's not like she's going to have an irreversible sex change in the next few months, she just wishes to identify as male now. She may wish to identify as female (or one of those other ones I don't know much about) in the future and she'd be completely free to do that.

[e5]

I agree that a 7 year old shouldn't be able to make those decisions to have a sex change, as they're probably too young to comprehend what it actually is, although if you think about it and they got it done whilst so young that they would probably not get bullied by peers when in high school (as people do get bullied for it) if they decided to do it as a teenager. It would also give them more time to get over it if people were judgemental. Personally, I wouldn't allow it at that age though.

[FlyingJesus]

Changing the way you dress isn't a sex change

[velvet]

i love coming back to habbox to read the drivel that undertaker spews... i swear in 5 or so years his views and opinions haven't matured and broadened.
what about, for example, egyptian men? they wear dresses, kiss each other and hold hands down the street. certain things that are considered effeminate in the western world really aren't elsewhere.

defining people by their gender is regressive and oppressive.

ETA: when i was a kid i slicked my hair back, didn't wear makeup, wore boys school uniform and boys clothes in general - didn't get bullied at all at that stage in my life. if my kid wanted to do the same i'd be cool with it.

[Metric1]

I don't think John is terrified of her genitals I'm not entirely sure a fear of blood and heights is a good comparison to gender identity either :L And it's not like she's going to have an irreversible sex change in the next few months, she just wishes to identify as male now. She may wish to identify as female (or one of those other ones I don't know much about) in the future and she'd be completely free to do that.

It was more of a perspective, but I understand where you're coming from as well. We all want what we can't have. I'm one of the gifted people who has somewhat of what others want BUT that being said there are things that are out of my reach that I simply cannot have right now. I can tell you right now a vagina is not one of them. I feel that at age 18 when you are a legal adult you should be able to make your own decisions, until then you should suck it up. I mean if I was 7, or 17 and I wanted my penis chopped off I would be mortified right now. I'm a firm believer in "what god made us" - if god chose to give you a penis and you wanted a vagina - tough titty, it's one of those things that you can't change.

[jke]

Boys need role models to aspire too (Nelson, footballers, Churchill, masculine superheroes) & girls the same. Boys & girls are different, I won't pretend otherwise.

which is just what happened in education where by social scientists said not to push children into a certain field because they should do whatever makes them feel good: so you have a load of losers prancing about on stage feeling good about themselves meanwhile the kids in China and the far-east are learning how to add up and spell.

What's the difference between 'prancing about on a stage' and 'prancing around on a football field' that makes a footballer a more suitable role model? What does a footballer bring to society that someone who works on a stage doesn't? Surely that is the social scientists would describe as one that makes you feel good

It's been highlighted several times throughout the thread, most children go through phases and while I'm not saying that this is simply a phase that she will grow out of, seven years old is very young for someone to be 100% certain. The body/mind can and does change a lot through puberty and if after she still feels she was born into the wrong body then she should start considering permanent changes.

Simply dressing up in clothing designed for boys and calling herself John is harmless. I think if her parent's are supporting of it, It's fantastic and will build a better relationship between them because of the support and trust.