It appears obvious to me that Teresa's adamancy in her position stems from her set of morals concerning gender/sexual issues and children. My moral positions are different and thus my take on her position is contrary in this case.
Here is my own anecdote that I lived this year. I gave the assignment to my ninth grade French I class to present a Powerpoint exhibit of their families. Naturally, the students were to talk about their families, each member's likes, dislikes, talents, age, work etc. A ninth grade girl whom I will call Abby has lesbians mothers who adopted her nearly at birth. She presented her family matter-of-factly as it is. She has been in the school for some time and has made similar presentations throughout her grade school career. Her mothers have done what all mothers have done: cupcakes for the class on Abby's birthday, room mother responsibilities, etc. No doubt children in her classes have had to ask the question, "Why does she have two mothers in her family?"
Given your responses to Teresa's anecdote regarding gender reassignment, I am not sure how the above scenario would be analyzed by those of you who commented. I suspect that you will see it as different, perhaps very different, but I am not sure why. It is obvious that a child's confusion is not the first concern: children deal with terrible and much worse confusion routinely enough. I know that Alan mentioned natural happenings and the need to explain them to children as part of natural patterns, that one protects children from what one can. Although I understood what he wrote, I don't know why a child needs protection from either of these two scenarios. Unless, of course, morality such as you perceive it, is the guiding principle. If this is the case, then we must take on the continually thorny question of whose morality dominates the public square.
3 comments:
As for protecting the children from what we can, I had gangs, violence, drugs, and youth alcoholism in mind. It didn't cross my mind to protect them from GLBT issues, but since you mention it, I am quite sure there are social conservatives that would think that children need such protection.
The "thorny question of whose morality dominates the public square" has been ongoing for many decades now, and I think most religious people would agree that it has been a losing battle for their side and will likely continue to be so. This much is predicted in the Bible.
In Abby's case, I would have no objection to her presenting her family situation in school. It is what it is. It would be up to individual parents to discuss the presentation with their respective children. Although GLBT issues are often lumped together, in my mind, GLB issues are quite different than T issues, so I think Teresa's concern is valid.
I agree with Alan. I don't see T as being in the same catagory as the others. Their concerns should not be lumped together. This man seeking gender reassignment has a wife and children. As far as I know he isn't gay. As far as I know he is remaining with his wife. I am sure they will have to work out their relationship with his reassignment and that will certainly be and should be a private matter.
As far as protecting children. I beleive children's rights should be placed above adult's privalages. And if a parent feels they should protect their children from something that is good enough reason for me. A parent knows their child far better than anyone else.
I never said that gender re-assingment was immoral. But I do beleive it is contrary to God's nature. It isn't what I would consider natural (as in nature produced)to mutilate ones body to become something they are not. I don't think that is a good lesson to teach children. "I don't like who I am so I am going to extreme measures to make me someone else". I think young girls alreaady are trying to mimic the skinny models and celebrities they see in the magazines and will go to unhealthy extremes to do it. It would be nice for them to see adults making healthy choices to show that you can love yourselves for who they are. I can't imagine gender re-assingment surgeries are healthy. I can only imagine all kinds of risks involved. There is a lot of invasive surgery involved. I just can't see the positive in fluanting that in front of a the schools public eye. As a parent...I would want to protect my children from that, so I relate to the parents of the children of this school and support their concerns.
I do support traditional families as the more healthy unit to raise children. The balance of a male and female model in the home seems to me to be the more ideal environment for children. But...for Abby and families like Abbys and I don't condem them by any means,I am sure they are good people doing good things and trying to provide happy and healthy experiences for their children.
But as a firm beleiver in a Heavenly Father with a plan...I just beleive that His plan is that a mother and a father is the best structure for a child whenever possible.
The T question is a topic of discussion in the GLB movement as well, frankly I understand it better than B.
But I have learned a lot about transgendered people by talking to them quite a bit. Although it is a choice to take advantage of transitioning, it is not a choice I don't believe to be mentally the opposite sex your body dictates. There are plenty of examples of those for whom choices were made at birth by well-meaning parents whose children were born with mixed or unclear genitalia. I don't know how God gets that mixed up, but it happens, and when it does...well someone has to make a decision!
Post a Comment