Tips To Help Parents Understand and Discuss Gender Issues With Their Children

Understanding and discussing gender can be as complex as exploring gender identity or as simple as “blue” versus “pink”. All month long we’ve been sharing tips from our parenting experts on understanding and discussing gender topics with your children. We’ve collected all of the topics we’ve covered as well as some informative links to help you navigate this topic with your children. Be sure to sign up for our parenting newsletter to have information like this delivered straight to your inbox.

The Pink Aisle Versus The Blue Aisle

Have you ever really considered why the toy aisles at your favorite department store are divided into “boys” and “girls” sections? What makes a toy a “boys” or a “girls” toy? Read more…

Understanding Gender Roles

Your children’s understanding of gender begins much younger than you might expect. What do you need to know? Read more…

Understanding Differences between Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression

Today’s society is becoming increasingly sophisticated in how we view gender. Experts who work with youth and gender issues share the two most common myths:

  • Gender is binary, offering only two options
  • Gender and sex are the same things.

The take-aways: your gender is not based on your anatomy. And people can be “gender fluid” rather than only male or female. Read more…

Coming Out: A Guide for Parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Gender Expansive (LGBTQ+) Youth

Parenting is full of surprises. From the day your child was born, parenting likely took unexpected twists and turns. Parents’ dreams and expectations for their children evolve over time as families create their own paths. When parents learn their child is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or gender-expansive (LGBTQ+), they may experience a wide variety of emotions. Read more…

Other Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/articles-and-answers/ask-the-expert/tips-for-parents-lgbtq-youth

https://beechacres.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Fast-Facts-BAPC-Transgender-FINAL.pdf

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/Gender-Identity-and-Gender-Confusion-In-Children.aspx

https://www.unicef.org/blog/parenting-lgbtq-children-mental-health

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/watching-gender-infographic

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2007/not-true-gender-doesnt-limit-you

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2013/the-gender-spectrum

https://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/healthy-gender-development.pdf