The trans takeover of schools

Trans’ is a magic word. It is impervious to science, common sense and even to concerns about the safeguarding of children. Thhe Scottish government has now released guidance entitled Supporting Transgender Pupils In Schools, which instructs teachers to affirm, unquestioningly, children’s trans or non-binary identities from the age of four.

Teachers are advised to use preferred pronouns, including ‘zie’ or ‘ey’ or ‘per’, at the behest of pupils. And they are told they need to treat any disclosure of a child’s transgender identity as confidential, withholding it even from the child’s family. The idea that children and adult authority figures should collude to keep secrets from parents is deeply troubling.

Tellingly, the 70-page document states that ‘social justice’ is ‘core to what it means to be a teacher in Scotland’. This bizarre and ideologically drenched guidance represents a fundamental shift in education. It seems that children are now expected to lead and instruct adults.

Of course, youngsters should be listened to by teachers. When a child says he or she feels uncomfortable then adults must take note. That some children have a profound discomfort with their body (a condition known as gender dysphoria) is undeniable. But it does not follow that the person suffering has been born into the wrong body. Symptoms such as gender dysphoria or bodily dissociation are common responses to trauma. Any disclosure of these feelings should not be ignored. It might even be an indication that a child has been abused.

Instead, this irresponsible guidance instructs teachers that ‘if a young person comes out to you, it’s also important not to deny their identity, or overly question their understanding of their gender identity’. This is wrong. Adults should not to be led, either by children or ideologues, to affirm a child’s identity – it is adults’ job to listen, to take responsibility and to apply the experience they have gained with age.