"We must not only
prepare our children for the world,
We must also prepare the world for our children."
Luis. J. Rodriguez
Transgender and gender nonconforming children and youth exist in every culture, nation, city, town, neighborhood and family. They attend every school, participate in every type of activity and work at every kind of job. Their families are diverse - crossing all cultural, racial, economic, educational, social, religious and political classifications.
Transgender and gender non-conforming children and youth can be deeply affected by negative societal attitudes, rejection and pressure to conform to gender stereotypes.
Double Standards
Female Bodied Children
Many
female-bodied kids don't experience or
express their gender in ways that conform to expected gender stereotypes.
It's quite common for girls to enjoy dressing like, or doing things that
are usually associated with boys. When they are young these children may
be called "tomboys", and it's generally accepted by most people as a phase
many girls go through.
When they begin to reach adolescence, the pressure to "behave like a
girl" increases and if they don't sufficiently conform to gender
stereotypes, society begins to make assumptions about their
sexual orientation.
Male Bodied Children
Sadly,
the same level of acceptance and flexibility does not exist at any
age for male-bodied children who prefer the color
pink or purple, or who enjoy dressing in clothing, playing with toys or
engaging in pastimes that are commonly associated with girls.
These children may be called names that are intended to hurt or shame them, and they are more likely presumed to be "confused" about their gender identity or destined to become gay adults.
Gender non-conforming male-bodied children and youth experience higher stress, anxiety and depression at earlier ages due to the rejection, ridicule and marginalization that comes from the more restrictive societal limitations enforced on little boys.
.png)
| PreK-12 Training | Undergraduate Training | Graduate Training |
| Professional Development | Conference Programming | Program Development |
| Sliding-Scale Fees | Child, Youth & Family | Gender Identity Focused |
Changing the Conversation
| For fifty-plus years the public has gotten information about the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming people from television and radio talk shows, tabloid newspapers, autobiographies and dramatic or comedic theatrical portrayals. The media has focused on sensationalized stories and situations involving transgender & transsexual adults. |
 |
 |
As a result, transgender and gender non-conforming children
and youth have been rendered a nearly invisible segment of our
population. Rejecting these marginalizing assumptions or projections about who transgender children and youth are, or will grow up to be is the first and most important step any educator, mentor, advisor or caregiver can take when looking for ways to provide a safer and more affirming life experience for these amazing kids. |
Family & Provider Education
Transgender children and youth have many needs - none more important than the support, acceptance and unconditional love of their families, friends and helping professionals.
TransActive staff can answer questions family members may have about childhood and adolescent transgender and gender nonconforming identity and expression.
TransActive also offers provider education in the form of workshops or meetings to assist child and youth allies who wish to knowledgeably, comprehensively and respectfully render care to children and youth who may identify as transgender.
