8 thoughts on “Kim Pearson Interview On CNN Concerning Transgender Student”
I know this video may have been posted awhile ago, but as I continue to learn about gender issues this video caught my eye. I agree with what Kim on what she said about children knowing the difference between being male and female at age of 5. So for this little boy to want to go to school as a girl I believe is understandable and acceptable. I say this because there are many males and females both who possess qualities of the opposite sex, so who is to say this little boy can’t express what he is feeling. Transgendered is the term for individuals who feel that their biologically assigned sex is inconsistent with their true sexual identity (Wood, Pg. 28). Transgendered people often dress and adopt the behaviors of the gender with which they identify (Wood, 28). I support what this young boy is going through because he is simply expressing the way he feels whether it be more masculine or more feminine he should be accepted either way. Sex is a designation based on biology, whereas gender is socially constructed and expressed (Wood, 20). This little boy had no choice in being male or female, but as he grows up he can decide and should be able to decide for himself what he wants to be and with what gender he associates with more. I am very supportive of his parents who are already supporting his decision to act as a girl.
I was impressed with Kim's comment on how she just "went with it" when her child was expressing the desire to do more masculine things even though she was female. From a parenting standpoint, I believe that it is imperative to allow your child to become themselves comfortably. I believe this builds a strong sense of self esteem and pride and parental support of "who" your child IS as opposed to what or who you want your child to be. As a parent, I have specific ideals for my child, but I have already had to face the reality that my child is herself and I need to support who she IS to have a confident, happy and socially functioning person under my roof. God bless and give wisdom to parents that face this situation.
@ jrloveg: I totally agree with what you've said here. I do however, find it a little shocking that this child being fully aware that he's a male, but wanting to go to school as a female. I know that Kim says children identify the differences between male and female at age 5, I just find that pretty young.
Anyways, I agree with your statement "the little boy had no choice in being male or female…" because we are not able to choose our SEX, but we can later choose our GENDER, in which this boy has chosen to indentify more with a female gender.
That is exactly how I see it, we can change our gender as we grow up and realize more and more about feminine and masculine qualities. As for Kim being so comfortable with this change, I was a bit shocked! I am not a parent, but I think that I could be a little taken back if my son or daughter came to me and expressed this. However, I will always raise my children to be who you want and who feels most comfortable. I will never hold my child back from expressing themselves. I can't say I would be okay with it right away, but I am sure I would deal with it. I know that no matter what I will always support my child.
I disagree with this I don't think kids should decide to be transgendered so young. When kids are 5 to 8 years old they don't take anything serious and don't realize what they are doing. Just because they like to dress and act like the opposite sex doesn't mean they are transgendered. Children should wait to a later age at least middle school to decide that they are transgendered and then it is okay in my mind because they are mature enough to make a life altering decision.
I do not mean to offend, but a life altering decision would be to completely change sex (transsexual). Gender, however, is neither innate nor necessarily stable. It is defined by society and expressed by individuals as they interact with others and media in their society (Wood, P. 23). Being transgender is merely a state of personality and expressing yourself in a feminine or masculine way; being transsexual is actually changing your sexual identity. I just have to disagree with the post above…I think children understand gender at a young age and if they choose to act like the opposite sex parents should let them. It could just be a way to figure out who they really are, playing both fields.
I would like to say that you can't tell the whole story in a sound bite. It really is the most difficult part of my job…to try to explain, educate and inform in 2.5 seconds without further confusing folks.
I am happy to make myself available to answer any questions you may have. I'd also like to ask you one. How old were you when you knew you were a boy or a girl? Please be as specific as possible.
Thanks so much for the info! I think I really knew I was a girl around age 4 or 5. This is when I started playing with kids of the same sex and played games such as house and dolls. I agree it is hard to explain the process and understanding of it in such a short excerpt. Thanks again for the other websites, I'll be sure to check them out!
I know this video may have been posted awhile ago, but as I continue to learn about gender issues this video caught my eye. I agree with what Kim on what she said about children knowing the difference between being male and female at age of 5. So for this little boy to want to go to school as a girl I believe is understandable and acceptable. I say this because there are many males and females both who possess qualities of the opposite sex, so who is to say this little boy can’t express what he is feeling. Transgendered is the term for individuals who feel that their biologically assigned sex is inconsistent with their true sexual identity (Wood, Pg. 28). Transgendered people often dress and adopt the behaviors of the gender with which they identify (Wood, 28). I support what this young boy is going through because he is simply expressing the way he feels whether it be more masculine or more feminine he should be accepted either way. Sex is a designation based on biology, whereas gender is socially constructed and expressed (Wood, 20). This little boy had no choice in being male or female, but as he grows up he can decide and should be able to decide for himself what he wants to be and with what gender he associates with more. I am very supportive of his parents who are already supporting his decision to act as a girl.
I was impressed with Kim's comment on how she just "went with it" when her child was expressing the desire to do more masculine things even though she was female. From a parenting standpoint, I believe that it is imperative to allow your child to become themselves comfortably. I believe this builds a strong sense of self esteem and pride and parental support of "who" your child IS as opposed to what or who you want your child to be. As a parent, I have specific ideals for my child, but I have already had to face the reality that my child is herself and I need to support who she IS to have a confident, happy and socially functioning person under my roof. God bless and give wisdom to parents that face this situation.
@ jrloveg:
I totally agree with what you've said here. I do however, find it a little shocking that this child being fully aware that he's a male, but wanting to go to school as a female. I know that Kim says children identify the differences between male and female at age 5, I just find that pretty young.
Anyways, I agree with your statement "the little boy had no choice in being male or female…" because we are not able to choose our SEX, but we can later choose our GENDER, in which this boy has chosen to indentify more with a female gender.
That is exactly how I see it, we can change our gender as we grow up and realize more and more about feminine and masculine qualities.
As for Kim being so comfortable with this change, I was a bit shocked! I am not a parent, but I think that I could be a little taken back if my son or daughter came to me and expressed this. However, I will always raise my children to be who you want and who feels most comfortable. I will never hold my child back from expressing themselves. I can't say I would be okay with it right away, but I am sure I would deal with it. I know that no matter what I will always support my child.
I disagree with this I don't think kids should decide to be transgendered so young. When kids are 5 to 8 years old they don't take anything serious and don't realize what they are doing. Just because they like to dress and act like the opposite sex doesn't mean they are transgendered. Children should wait to a later age at least middle school to decide that they are transgendered and then it is okay in my mind because they are mature enough to make a life altering decision.
I do not mean to offend, but a life altering decision would be to completely change sex (transsexual). Gender, however, is neither innate nor necessarily stable. It is defined by society and expressed by individuals as they interact with others and media in their society (Wood, P. 23). Being transgender is merely a state of personality and expressing yourself in a feminine or masculine way; being transsexual is actually changing your sexual identity. I just have to disagree with the post above…I think children understand gender at a young age and if they choose to act like the opposite sex parents should let them. It could just be a way to figure out who they really are, playing both fields.
Hey gang, It is Kim Pearson here.
I want to direct you to more current interviews and participate more fully in this conversation.
Print Article:
http://www.diversity-rules.com/pearson_interview.pdf
Radio Interview:
http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://equalityarizonaradio.podbean.com/mf/play/bb479q/finalTYFA.
I would like to say that you can't tell the whole story in a sound bite. It really is the most difficult part of my job…to try to explain, educate and inform in 2.5 seconds without further confusing folks.
I am happy to make myself available to answer any questions you may have. I'd also like to ask you one. How old were you when you knew you were a boy or a girl? Please be as specific as possible.
Namaste,
Kim
Kim –
Thanks so much for the info! I think I really knew I was a girl around age 4 or 5. This is when I started playing with kids of the same sex and played games such as house and dolls.
I agree it is hard to explain the process and understanding of it in such a short excerpt. Thanks again for the other websites, I'll be sure to check them out!