How to support your child explore their gender identity

How to support your child explore their gender identity

Join us for an insightful event at The Shard, London Bridge Street, London, UK where we will discuss strategies to help parents support their child in understanding and exploring their gender identity. This in-person event aims to create a safe and inclusive space for parents to learn, share experiences, and gain valuable insights. Our knowledgeable speakers will provide practical advice and guidance, covering various aspects of gender identity exploration. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other parents and gain a deeper understanding of how to support your child on their unique journey of self-discovery!

Your child is questioning their gender, but how do you explore it?

This is a great question and one you might find yourself asking! Gender is expressed through how you walk, style your hair, dress, speak, and so much more. This truly depends on what your child is hoping to shift in their life to allow for more integration between their identity and their body.

- Do they feel that their pronouns don’t match how they feel?

- Does your child feel that they don’t see their genuine “self” in the mirror with their current wardrobe?

- Maybe they are starting to recognize that there are parts of their body they wish looked different?

Beyond expression, of course you can explore through connecting with gender expansive content. There are many resources that are accessible from books, e-books, creators, apps, and podcasts. Some gender-focused organisations also have amazing resources.

Having a therapist who is competent in gender related care is also critical. In therapy you can have more room to explore with someone who knows what it means to be affirming, understands how to hold space for dysphoria and euphoria, who can sit in the uncertainty with you and your child, and – most importantly – will be able to name and challenge possible oppressive narratives that are often placed on those who are not cis-gender.

Gender identity

Gender identity is one’s personal experience of oneself as male or female (or both or neither). Gender identity is “a person’s deeply felt, inherent sense of being a boy, a man, or male; a girl, a woman, or female; or an alternative gender (e.g., genderqueer, gender nonconforming, gender neutral) that may or may not correspond to a person’s sex assigned at birth or to a person’s primary or secondary sex characteristics”.

· Cisgender: Describes a person whose gender identity and expression aligns with their sex assigned at birth.

· Genderqueer: An umbrella term used to describe a person who is gender-nonconforming and may include thinking of themselves as both male and female, neither male nor female, moving between genders, or representing a third gender.

· Non-binary: Used to describe a person whose gender identity isn’t exclusively male or female.

· Transgender: Denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex.

· Gender non-conforming: Denoting or relating to a person whose behaviour or appearance does not conform to prevailing cultural and social expectations about what is appropriate to their gender.

While this is not an exhaustive list, some examples of terminology used for gender identity include: cisgender, female, male, pan gender, gender fluid, bigender, two spirit, agender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, gender expansive, third gender, and questioning.

It can be overwhelming for a child trying to make sense of it all, but it can also be very daunting for a parent, wanting to do the best to support their child but not knowing what it all means, where to access information, who to trust, or where to seek help and advice.

Can Anyone Hear Me? will be hosting a one-day Summit on Thursday 20th June 2024; creating a safe space for an open conversation about exploring gender identity in children and young adults. This will allow you to hear from our panel of speakers from an array of professional sectors including medical, educational, charity and support as well as guest speakers such as parents and young adults who will share their personal journey and lived experiences.

Can Anyone Hear Me? will explore the following discussion points –

o What age does gender identity present itself?

o Parental understanding.

o Psychological support.

o Supporting any mental health issues that may arise.

o Pathways to gender identity.

o How do schools meet the child’s needs?

o What provisions are in place?

o Learning and understanding through knowledge & training.

Event Venue

The Shard, London Bridge Street, London, UK, United Kingdom