Gay parents and gender-bending children

[LostInTime]

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Suzannah and Lia sought out family therapy because they were concerned about their youngest son. Kyle is a 5-year-old boy with a gentle, soft nature who scoffs at traditional boys' toys and games. He spends most of his time in day care playing with girls, and his favorite games involve playing with dolls and dressing up in princess gowns. Suzannah and Lia are progressive parents who have never forced gender-based roles or toys on any of their three children. "Our oldest son also played with 'girls' things,' " they said, "but never exclusively. Kyle's behavior stands out, and everyone is commenting on it."

As Suzannah and Lia talk about Kyle they keep contradicting themselves, saying, "I know that we haven't done anything to make Kyle this way, but maybe it's because he has no father?" and "I just want him to be himself, but maybe we shouldn't let him play with Barbies?"

There is something about transgressing gender boundaries that sends even the most liberal people running to their worn and tattered copies of Freud for explanations.