It wasn’t too long ago that “gay parents” became the topic of discussion with our four-year-old daughter. Now in the wake of reports regarding Bruce Jenner officially coming out as a woman, it’s got me thinking about how to explain transgender and transsexualism to our kids, if the subject ever came up.
Identity has become a common theme throughout my blog. We aim at teaching our children about their multicultural and multiracial background. In doing so, we help them gain an understanding of who they are and also build self-confidence.
Let’s face it; there are some kids who struggle with their identity. When I watched Bruce Jenner’s interview with Diane Sawyer on 20/20 and heard him speak about his struggles growing up as a boy wanting to be a little girl, I felt sad for him. I truly admire him finally letting go of “the secret,” as he describes it.
Bruce Jenner appeared as Caitlyn Jenner on the cover of Vanity Fair dressed in a corset. The photo shot by Annie Leibovitz with the headline “Call Me Caitlyn,” has gone viral.
To be honest, I didn’t make the connection at first. I thought the magazine was just featuring a woman of a certain age who’s still hot! I didn’t click until I was watching an entertainment program and saw a side by side image of Bruce and Caitlyn.
Then I happened to see an interview with Kim Kardashian, who is expecting baby number two with Kanye West. She revealed that their new baby will get to know Caitlyn, further confirming Bruce’s transition.
I think it’s great that the family is supporting his decision to become a woman. While we don’t have any transgender or transexual people in our family, I still think about how to explain it to our kids. Traditionally speaking, gays, transgenders, and transexuals, are not accepted within the Jamaican culture.
It’s a very sensitive topic that many aren’t comfortable with in my country. But whether we are comfortable or not, this is reality. Princess is known for asking some pretty tough questions. She often leaves us stuttering for answers. So in light of Caitlyn Jenner, I asked my hubby how we should approach the subject, if it ever comes up.
“I don’t even know how to explain it to myself,” he responded.
Well, I’ve learned that the worse thing you can do is avoid the subject all together. The best way to explain it to any child is to be open and honest.There’s no need to go into a long dissertation about why a man wants to become a woman and vice versa. Just keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
How would you explain transgender and transsexualism to kids?