Gender identity simply means who we believe ourselves to be, whether that’s a man, a woman, or neither. Assigned sex refers to how we’re labelled at birth based on our anatomy, usually female or male. Everyone begins developing their own gender identity from a young age.
Gender diverse children, meaning those whose gender identity are not aligned with their assigned sex, can encounter unique challenges at school. These can include:
- being referred to by the wrong name or pronoun, whether verbally or on documents
- experiencing discrimination and harassment from others
- feeling nervous about disclosing their gender identity
- navigating gender-separated spaces, such as washrooms or change-rooms
- participating in gender-based health and physical education classes
Being a parent of a gender diverse child can be challenging at times. You might worry about how they’ll be treated by others at school, by family members, or by others when they grow up. You may question yourself, wondering if there’s something wrong with the way they were raised. Your child may also fear being unloved after disclosing their gender identity.
Gender diversity is normal and healthy, and exists across all cultures. It is not influenced by parental actions, nor is it something children do intentionally as an act of defiance. What’s most important is for parents to support them unconditionally. Research shows that children and youth who are accepted by their families, regardless of their gender identity, tend to be healthier, have higher self-esteem, are less likely to use drugs, and are less likely to experience depression or attempt suicide.
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