An elementary school in New Hampshire says it's welcoming a transgendered third-grader as a girl. The child will be able to use the girls' restroom, will dress like a girl, and will be addressed as a girl at school. Janson Wu, the lawyer who helped her parents reach an agreement with her new school, says accommodating transgendered students is new territory for everyone, but "we're going to see a lot more students coming out. And that's something that schools and parents need to be prepared to deal with."
It sounds like maybe the girl's previous school was not so prepared. She transferred this fall from a different city school. I wonder how many of her teachers and classmates already know if this new student is transgendered -- and if so, how much it matters to them. Will they eventually find out? How exactly is this going to work out in the bathroom?
I'll admit my first thought: A third-grader? How would this child know at such a young age? But I happen to live with a third-grader. I know how willful he is, and how clear he is about his identity. So yeah, I believe this transgendered girl feels strongly about being a girl. Gender identity becomes super important starting around the age of 7. This is definitely the result of her reaching a developmental milestone.
I think her fellow classmates can handle it. But I hope they get support from their parents, too. No parent should be filling their kids' heads with bigoted ideas. This is an opportunity for families to grow compassion. Who knows why there are kids born one gender but feel like they're the other gender? Does it really matter? You should still treat them with dignity and respect. This is an important lesson for all kids (and their parents!) to learn.
So I'm glad the school is accepting this transgendered student. The district superintendent, Mark Conrad, says the agreement between the girl's parents and the school is meant to help the girl thrive in the classroom -- and that's exactly what the school should be focusing on. Girl or boy, it doesn't matter. Let her pee in the girls' bathroom! However this student wants to be identified, it's the school's job to provide her with the best education they possibly can in an environment that doesn't cause her extra stress. I hope it works out.
What do you think of the school's decision to accept a transgendered third-grader?
Image via Robynlou8/Flickr
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Comments 74
Kid might not feel the same next year, or the year after, or when puberty hits, or when they get made fun of. What are they going to do, change schools every time the kid changes their mind? Sue the schools for having a bad environment when their kid is picked on?
Puberty is a better age for these decisions. Their brain can better determine consequences, and their hormones start to come into play. Being transgendered isn't like being homosexual. Lots of people change their minds on it.
I mean look at the "man" who kept "his" lady parts to reproduce. That is one confused person. Real men can't have babies, and wanting to live as a man for real, means you give that up.
I'm glad the school is being accomidating. But at this age, they shouldn't have to be.
There is a transgender kid in my sons class. If you didn't know, you would have no idea she was a boy. They do make her use the boys restroom.
as this child advances in school, what will happen when she has to dress out for PE class? the other girls are going to notice, then subject this child to bullying.
Her sex and anatomy, is still male... don't they have separate bathrooms for children at that age, to avoid anatomy issues and exposure at an early age? How will the other girls feel in the girls bathroom if they HAPPEN to see a penis on the little girl next to them... sounds like a sacrifice of common sense on all accounts to me.
Seems like if they truly wanted to raise a strong child who can take on the world, they should teach their son/daughter that it is fine that he wants to become a girl someday and he/she can be whatever they know is right inside: but on the outside he was born as an anatomical male and that means his life will be a little different for awhile growing up: he will have to use the potty with boys like a boy since that's what he has: a boy penis, like all the other boys.