One week ago, the Trump administration rescinded federal policies put in place by the Obama administration that allowed transgender students in public schools to use bathrooms and facilities that correspond with their declared gender identity. It is now an issue that will be dealt with on a state-by-state basis.
It’s been almost a year since I wrote about the issue of transgender students and bathrooms in schools, and it is time to revisit the subject.
One week ago, the Trump administration rescinded federal policies put in place by the Obama administration that allowed transgender students in public schools to use bathrooms and facilities that correspond with their declared gender identity. It is now an issue that will be dealt with on a state-by-state basis.
Writing as a pediatrician, not political spokesperson, who has treated thousands of children over the past 30 years, it is imperative that we consider the emotional and physical health of every child when we make decisions that affect all of those children.
This is more than a state v. federal issue; this is an issue about the well being of all of our children. When bathroom use at school is up for grabs, so too, are the psyches of many immature children.
When bathroom use at school is up for grabs, so too, are the psyches of many immature children.
Now, young children who may or may not be questioning their gender identity are asked which gender they prefer—today, that is. Because next week, the child may change his/her mind. This is not a criticism of the child, but a comment on the struggle of gender dysphoria. Then, according to the gender with which the child identifies that day, he/she should have the option of choosing which gender bathroom to use. This means that an eight-year-old girl who identifies herself as an eight-year-old boy should have the opportunity to use a urinal. Or go into the stall of the boy’s bathroom and sit on the toilet.
Likewise, a genetic 11-year-old boy who self-identifies as a girl should have the option of using the girl’s bathroom along with the other 11-year-old girls. Until he changes his perception, which may well happen after he goes through puberty because many children change their position about gender identification after puberty.
Sound confusing? It is—especially for young children, whether they have gender identity issues or not. All children are confused by the bathroom controversy and here’s why.
We know that statistically, true gender dysphoria in kids is very rare. It is reasonable to assume that more than 99 percent of boys and girls in the U.S do not suffer gender dysphoria. These children, because of cognitive limitations of childhood, see much of the world in concrete, black and white terms. What they see determines their reality. A cat is a cat and a teacher is a grown up.
We know that statistically, true gender dysphoria in kids is very rare.
Now they have issued a decision: Is the boy in his class a girl or a boy? And then, those children may begin questioning their own gender identity.