Absolutely untrue... Just because that is a media buzz topic does not make it so.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
We are an entirely non-religious home and while I am more conservative fiscally than some I am more socially liberal than most. I am one of the parents that always welcomed all my kids friends into our home. Straight, gay, confused, trans, non-binary or whatever. Over the years a few of their friends left homes where the conflict between their parents and themselves coming out was too much for them to handle and they always had a safe place to stay with our family. Funny thing though is we never excluded their parents from knowing where their kids were at and encouraged talking, and in fact every single one of them recovered their relationships with their parents because the dialog was made and eventually everyone came to grips with the situation. That only happens when parents are informed and kept abreast of their kids lives. It wasn't just for the parents but also for the kids.
Also to note, of the group of kids we interacted with throughout the high school years, two of the ones that were 100% sure they were transgendered, came back around to deciding they were straight and they were the sex they were born as when they were late teen/young adults. Yes I realize that does not mean they will all do that, but my point is that in the confusing period of your middle teens, having to feel pressure in deciding these things so early is unnecessary, and certain actions that make them permanent, or at the very least damaging if one changes their mind later, should be put off this early in life. Peer pressure from your like minded friends can be just as damaging as peer pressure from the opposite end of that spectrum. A little cautious common sense is not a bad thing at all.
No doubt conversation around such topics are important to have with youth, but life altering decisions need to include parents.