Transgender children: Relevant aspects and recommendations

Transsexualityis a delicate subject, full of aspects not yet accepted or at least tolerated by today’s society. It does not occur only in adults, but expands until childhood, affecting the youngest.

Therefore, in this article we will learn whattransgender children are, what are the relevant aspects and recommendations for parents, and those who have a transgender infant as a relative.

What is childhood transsexuality?

Childhood transsexualityhas to do with sexual identity, it is not linked to orientation. Since these are children who refer to their sex as the opposite, what does this mean? It is when aboy recognizes himself as a girl or vice versa.

As a result and with the passage of time, he rejects his true sexuality, clothing and tastes are changing towards the opposite sex, it is more than anything a psychological problem than a biological one.

Fun fact: As justification, there is the case of a young woman namedJazz Jennings, who was initiallyborn a boy but identified almost immediately as a girland thanks to her touching but hard life, has been accepted both in her family and by society. She is currently an LGBT rights activist. (1)

Characteristics of Transgender Children

It is important to recognize the characteristics of atransgender child, however it must be done with respect, caution and a lot of discretion, to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary situations:

Discomfort with birth gender

Transgender children do not accept, froman early age, the gender they have from birth, even if they possess the right genitalia, simply inside their minds they do not really feel in the correct sexual gender.

Important: According to a study “There is almost no reference that serves as a model to understand and interpret the phenomenon of minors who admit to having a sexual identity contrary to the sex assigned to them at birth.” (two)

Rejection of boy or girl clothing

Over time, social tastes such as clothing change; a child is not seen wearing men’s Bermuda shorts, but women’s skirtstag. A girl does not want to have long hair, but to cut it short and not wear makeup. They are details that are noticed at a social level.

Self-designation with a different name

The rejection of the original sex and clothing also have their side, a new name different from their birth sex. Simply put, her name is completely changed, a boy named Carlos can call himself Carla or vice versa.

Preference for games of the “opposite” genre

This can be very obvious, which sometimes worries some parents, however, it does not cause discomfort to many, transgender children have preferences for children’s games of the opposite sex.

For example, a child would rather play with Barbie dollsthan a Max Steel toy. The girls, for their part, would do the same in the opposite way.

Comfort with things of the “different” gender

This is a very broad psychological aspect, several key examples are needed to understand it.

A simple one is transgender children, who feel comfortable in girls’ bathrooms or studying in all-girls schools. Transgender girls can be comfortable in a boys’ bathroom or in rustic places where men hang out, as well as wearing masculine clothing such as boxer shorts, ditching bras.

Inability to fit in with “same gender” groups

Transgender children find it difficult to fit in with groups of the same sex , they always go with the opposite, although they are mostly rejected or criticized.

Note: It happens when a boy feels comfortable in a group of girls or vice versa.

Preference for friends of the gender with which they identify

Continuing with this, transgender children develop a deep feeling towards friendships within the gender that they feel identified with, makes them feel safe and gives them the hope of being able to have a stable, normal and bearable social life.

Note: Thanks to a study, it is known that “The closest relatives of trans children begin to receive signals that are significant. At a certain moment, they already know that their daughters or sons are something other than a feminized boy or a virilized girl”. (3)

Recommendations for parents of transgender children

The issue of transgender children or childhood transsexuality is very delicate and difficult to deal with, however, everything depends on the education and acceptance by the parentstag. Therefore, the following recommendations should be taken into account:

Keep calm and accept them as they are

Child transsexuality should not stress from the beginning, acceptance is important for people’s psychology and for today’s society, where lack of tolerance generates chaos.

Note: This generates respect and increases affection among the family. Don’t lose your cool.

Manifest support, affection and unconditional solidarity

As a father you must show love,that encompasses a series of actions and words that will lead your transgender son or daughter to a healthy life, in addition to forming them as formal people. That goes fromlove and affection, mutual support and solidarityof father and son. An important value.

Promote confidence and security in the child

From the above, confidence and security are fostered for the transgender child , since paternal affection is their greatest example to follow, which will keep them as a strong person in the face of adverse situations in real life, including those that seek to affect their sexual condition.

Foster respect and understanding in family members

Fostering respect not only goes from parents to children, but mutually from infants to their parents. It is a chain of trust and mutual support with those who share family ties, from this comes understanding, despite small fights or arguments, there must always be forgiveness.

Report mistreatment and inappropriate behavior in school environments

Parents have the responsibility to defend their children, so they should report mistreatment or inappropriate behavior that negatively affects transgender children, especially in school environments where bullying can be a dangerous weapon , but not the strongest, protect To your childs.

Avoid discriminatory comments

Personally they should avoid offensive or discriminatory comments, as well as in a social environment they should not allow outsiders to degrade their transsexual child or hurl discriminatory and hurtful epithets and words at them. epithets and words at them.

Important: Do not allow strangers to comment on your personal life or that of your children.

Pay attention to child’s mental health

Attention must be paid to the mental health of the transgender child, this means his statements on the subject , the words he uses, the attitude he possesses and the point of view that is born in him.

To highlight: Not all people are born perfect, therefore mental health and high performance rates depend on the education or attention given to them.

Request professional advice

If it is a subject that one does not know how to handle correctly, it is always important to rely on the advice of a professional,especially a psychologist. All in favor of the child’s mental health, family affection and the development of a very stable social life.

Key Findings

• Trans children are those who do not accept their true birth gender .
• A trans child manifests by liking clothing or activities of the opposite sex.
• It is a psychological and not a physical behavior (at least in the alteration of the genitals).
• It is a situation that can be overcome with affection, understanding, mutual support and parental protection towards these children.