Should teachers and schools be allowed to keep information about a student's pronouns or gender identity from parents?

Poll - Total Votes: 33

Yes. The child's health and well being are more important than the parent being informed.

No. Parents should get to know this information even if that puts some kids at risk.

You can only vote on one answer.

Personally I think that right now it is for a child's safety that their choice of pronouns or expressed gender identity not be relayed to the parents.
Why?
Because if the child wanted their parents to know then they would tell them. The child might not feel comfortable telling their parent just because it's awkward but it could also be a much more substantial fear of repercussions, punishment or even harm.

You have only to see how some people in this debate advocate hate and even execution to understand why it is worrying to out a trans child to certain kinds of parent.

It's just so gross how this issue has been weaponized by the political right to get cheap votes.
Just following the ol playbook "If you don't have policy, target a minority" lol

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spjennifer · 61-69, T

I have family who've been educators, principals and administrators in schools and the school board for decades. Some of the horror stories I've heard made me cry. I don't have any children of my own but I'd like to think that if I did, they could come to me with just about anything and I'd be supportive and understanding. Some children don't have that option. I was once told of a parent who beat his daughter black and blue for listening and dancing to Katy Perry's "I kissed a girl". While more about sexual orientation than gender identity in that case, I can well imagine how her Father would have reacted had he been told she want to be called he/him or they now... I couldn't advocate for the child to undergo permanent changes before they are 16-18 and able to decide for themselves but I sure can understand wanting to experiment and feeling supported in their choices without the fear of being outed to parents who don't or don't want to be supportive of those choices.

Pikachu

@spjennifer

That's the exact kind of scenario that i think makes this necessary. That's what makes the child's privacy more important that a parent's right to know, whatever that actually means.

onewithshoes · 26-30, F

@spjennifer It is the normal expectation that parents be loving and benevolent. When children are abused by bad parents, however, the state, as pater patriae quite properly steps in. This is why every teacher is a mandated reporter, which is quite enough of a burden for a teacher to carry without also making her a mandated deceiver.

spjennifer · 61-69, T

@onewithshoes Sadly it isn't always detected even if it may be apparent. Far too many children have been physically and mentally abused by their Parents without anyone knowing. I would think it would be obvious that if the child talks to the teacher about it and expresses fear of Parental retribution or abuse because they want to be different, then no, the teacher shouldn't be forced to speak to the parents about the child's choice but should certainly report it to the Social Services that the child may be being abused but only if this won't make the child's life even more difficult than it already is... it's not an easy situation for anyone in those circumstances.