Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Our son has a 'girly' side
Your parenting questions answered by JOHN SHARRY
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2010/1207/1224284915946.htmlOur five-year-old son, the youngest of three boys, has always been drawn to what he calls "girly things". He loves dolls, buggies, magazines aimed at young girls, etc. Apart from his brothers, most of his friends are girls. We have always accommodated his preferences as much as possible, although I've drawn the line at allowing him to leave the house in a princess dress as I don't want people to laugh at him or bully him.
Although he is only five, we have, of course, wondered if he might be gay, or might even have a gender identity disorder, and so we are very anxious that we handle this correctly. Life will be difficult enough for him if he is gay or transsexual and we would hate to make his life traumatic by handling this in the wrong way. Perhaps we are being completely paranoid in jumping this far ahead?
