Recently, a friend and fellow parent of tweens shared her experience: “While driving the kids to school, one of them suddenly asked, ‘Who’s Bruce Jenner?’ I was so caught up in the traffic that I just responded, ‘He’s an Olympic athlete,’ and quickly shifted the conversation.” In essence, she avoided the topic. Despite my background in writing a children’s picture book titled I Am Jazz, which provides insights into being transgender, I have consistently encouraged parents and educators to engage in sincere, age-appropriate discussions with children about LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
My motivation stems not from personal ties to the LGBTQ+ community—no one in my immediate family identifies as such—but from my dedication to nurturing empathetic, understanding children. With the increasing visibility of marriage equality and transgender individuals in our society, it’s crucial that our children learn about the diversity around them. Ignoring these realities does a disservice to our kids and places educators in awkward positions, as they may need to address LGBTQ+ students and families already present in schools.
How to Respond to Questions
So, how would I have responded to that question? I would say (and have said to my own children), “Bruce Jenner was an accomplished Olympic gold medalist. However, he is now widely recognized for another reason. At 65, he has bravely revealed that he identifies as a woman, even though her body is male. Isn’t that fascinating?”
“When Bruce was younger, he didn’t realize that others felt similarly and struggled with confusion and shame about not fitting societal expectations. This feeling is part of what it means to be transgender—a term that describes someone whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.”
“Today, medical professionals recognize that being transgender is simply a variation of human experience. It’s akin to a mix-up between the brain and body during fetal development. The good news is, we now have medical options, including hormone treatments and surgeries, that can help individuals align their bodies with their true selves, should they choose to pursue that. However, many find that simply changing their name and expressing themselves through clothing and hairstyle is sufficient.”
“You might not meet someone who identifies as transgender every day, but if you do, I hope you will approach them with kindness, recognizing that their journey may have been challenging. Treat them with respect—avoid asking personal questions that you wouldn’t want to answer yourself. Embrace them for who they are inside, rather than focusing solely on their appearance, just as we strive to do with everyone.”
This straightforward approach alleviates potential anxiety and confusion. Importantly, I would refrain from discussing topics related to sex or sexual orientation, as these are distinct from gender identity. In essence, we’re focusing on who Bruce Jenner is, not who he is attracted to. Ultimately, avoiding the question may lead children to hear distorted information from peers, so it’s better to provide accurate, respectful answers—much like Bruce Jenner has done in sharing his truth.
Additional Resources
For more information on home insemination options, you can explore our informative post about various kits available here. Additionally, if you’re curious about fertility and methods like intrauterine insemination, check out this resource for in-depth insights.
Conclusion
In summary, have open dialogues with your children about diverse identities, emphasizing empathy and respect. This will prepare them to understand and embrace the rich tapestry of human experiences in the world around them.
Keyphrase: Discussing Bruce Jenner with Kids
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]