Gender and sexuality 🌈 - Let's talk about it!
By Amy Frankcom, Teen Blogger
Gender and sexuality can be extremely confusing for some, especially for those who were not raised with a high level of acceptance and understanding of the topic. It’s difficult to navigate and varies for every person; there is no concrete answer because of the fluid nature of gender and sexuality. Due to this, people are always concerned about getting it wrong, and choose to ignore the subject rather than exploring it with others and sometimes ‘messing up’. However, here’s the fact: gender and sexuality is a beautiful thing, encompassing myriads of diversity from all corners of the world. It deserves to be celebrated!
As a definition, gender is who you identify as (your perception of yourself), and sexuality is who you are attracted to (your perception of those around you). Gender and sexuality are so varied from person to person, and everybody has their own perception of what it means for them. For example, some may have a clear label of themselves from very early, and others may not want to be constrained by this or are still exploring what gender and sexuality means for them. Regardless of this, everybody’s identity is equally as valid, and should not be outcast simply because it is a foreign concept to some.
With an ever-evolving number of sexualities and genders (as ‘exploring’ becomes more widely accepted and encouraged), it can be difficult to wrap your head around the concept, and because of this people instinctively shy away from the topic altogether. However, this unintended ignorance is more harmful to people, than if you just have a free and non-judgmental conversation; what’s the worst that can happen? Being bold and having a difficult and challenging conversation about gender and sexuality with your child may be scary, but getting it wrong is a much easier thing to fix than not having the conversation at all. This way, a child can know that you support them however they identify, and although you may not understand everything, you have shown your support from day one and will never alienate them for being who they are.
As long as you’re open minded and willing to learn, this difficult topic can become so much easier to navigate. Enthusiasm to educate yourself about the evolving world is always a good thing, and it is so appreciated by everybody, no matter how they identify.
While you are here, we have a Podcast ‘Newborn to Teen and Everything in Between’, including an episode all about Gender and Sexuality 🌈- you can listen here.
We also have lots more blogs on various topics which you can find here, as well as our downloadable webinars on topics such as behaviour and emotions, sleep and toilet training.
Don’t forget that we offer parent consultations should you need support with anything from sleep to behaviour and so much more! Details of the packages we offer can be found here.