If a child doesn't conform to gender norms, should their parents force them to conform? Is it moral to do so?

Question

Or is it immoral to repress a child's nontraditional gender identity for the sake of conformity?

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Sorry, I know this isn't a question about "god" or "religion" or "spirituality" per se, but it's a question that involved morality and I figured this section deals as much with morality as the Philosophy section or even the Parenting sections.

Answer 1

i dont think u can force anyone ... and many with gender issues would probably be diagnosed with non-conformity issues ..

Answer 2

No and No!! It is neither moral nor normal to do so. In fact I think it can have a more negative effect to try and force a child to choose.. Children who are born with both male and female parts are often converted to girls, some of them did not grow into or ever feel feminine.. many of these children suffered horrible hardships in their lives because of the decisions their parents made, forced upon them by doctors etc. It's not right the way I see it.. and if you want to get Christian, it's all about free will.. these children should have the choice, the free will to choose their sexual orientation, and in some cases their sex. I dont believe that anything is "normal" per se, what may be normal to me could be abnormal to another.. thats why we are all unique and should be allowed to explore our individuality without others telling us what that "normal" thing is for us. Everyone is different, there is no NORMAL!!

Answer 3

Conform to gender norms how?

I was a tom boy growing up mainly because there were only boys in the neighborhood. I played baseball, tackle football, climbed trees and jumped fences. I also had a man's job in the Air Force, 1st female loadmaster on the C5 cargo plane.

I am now 57 years young, have been married for 31 years and have two daughters. Does this answer your question?

Answer 4

Making a child stifle their gender or sexuality just makes the child neurotic and more likely to be secretive, or become extremely depressed and suicidal, and might make them more likely to seek out gender realignment surgery before they know all their options, such as the option that society is in need of change much more so than the individual.

Cherish the unique child, they have much to teach us.

Answer 5

As I believe in reincarnation, I believe it is possible for a woman to come back still feeling like a woman, and visa versa. It may simply be some kind of karma that needs to be worked out. So no, I don't think it's really any of the parents business. No offense meant. Just calling it as I see it.
Blessed Be

Answer 6

morals are based on the political party currently in charge or squeaks the loudest

it is important a parent take an active role in raising a child and share their own lessons learned, but hopefully also teach a child what beliefs are and the difference between Santa and IRS is

Answer 7

My difficulty with the object grew to become into that it published the youngsters photographs, without blurring their faces! i've got not got faith the camp is newborn abuse, yet posting those photographs is repulsive. If classmates see those boys, the lads gets the crap beat out of them. it incredibly is much extra disgusting that the camp director replaced the call of the camp "to guard the lads," then plastered their photographs everywhere in the internet! besides, i don't be attentive to the long-term outcomes of gender-bending at an early age, or of going to a camp like this. yet I incredibly does not call it abusive. and that i be attentive to that somewhat some those with gender matters say it began at an early age. howdy, if the youngsters are having exciting, enable them to have at it. yet for the affection of God, do not positioned up their photographs on the internet!

Answer 8

No. Traits like nontraditional gender identity and homosexuality can't be suppressed, and certainly can't be removed, even at a young age. Trying to do so will just screw the kid up in later life. It's not only immoral to try and suppress a part of a child's identity, but ineffective as well.

Answer 9

You're right - it isn't a religious question.

So it is always a wonder to me why xians get all thingy about it and try to make it a question of morals; just like up until about 60 or 70 years ago, in Oz, being left-handed was of the devil.

Poor simple, ignorant savages - they have no care about the damage they do as long as they see themselves as moral.
It's no wonder; when you follow a 'god' totally devoid of morals, what do you expect?

Oh, answering your question?
The parent can try to bend the child to be 'normal' but if it's obvious the child has a different view of normality (remembering normality and morality are two completely different words) then don't fight it.
And just in case someone says: So if the child wants to kill small cats and dogs ... blah blah blah ...
You know that's not what we're talking about.
We're talking about sexual orientation and whether it can be 'changed' and the answer is NO just like left-handedness can't be changed.

Answer 10

This will go against the grain of most of what everybody is saying. I don't know what your religion is. As a Christian, we believe that our children are on loan to us from God and that it is our responsibility to shape them, and grow them in a manner pleasing to our Heavenly father.

They, everybody else answering this question are of the world. They don't believe in God. They could careless. They will criticize you and say who are you to try and change your child. I say, who are they to try and tell you how you should raise your child. (My 2 cents)

If you're not a Christian, give me the thumbs down. I'm expecting it. Don't worry though. I won't condemn you for it nor think bad of you either. :-) Peace and God bless.

Answer 11

Hello my friends,
“Force” the child???? If your child has a "different" gender behavior than the one you expect, it doesn't necessarily mean he/she is being immoral per se, it really only means he is not fitting your personal (cultural) expectations. "Spiritually right" matters more than "culturally ethical". Your child deserves the freedom to find out and explore her/his needs. The spiritually right thing to do would be to love him for who he is, accept and never to “force”; and that only he/she can discover and express. My opinion (both personally and professional) is to let that soul be itself.