4 year olds able to change gender in Scotland

I completely agree. Forcing them to conform to old fashioned anti-trabs ideas of some adults is damaging.

It’s precisely because it’s gone beyond mere anecdotes that guidance from the Scottish DOE was required by schools in how best to approach the issue of supporting children who are transgender in schools in Scotland. I pointed out already that similar guidelines have existed in Irish schools for the last number of years, with one of the core principles being that the child’s gender identity must be respected -

There has been an increase in awareness of gender identity issues and a growing capacity to understand the issues experienced by transgender people; and in 2015 the Oireachtas passed the Gender Recognition Act (2015). A positive consequence of this increased awareness is that more young people are coming out as transgender and seeking the support they need. In the school context this growing awareness needs to be matched with accurate information and responses that are based on good practice in addressing the needs of transgender young people.

A school’s response should be holistic and integrated, where the support of the student is the key consideration in every response.

A key strategy in supporting students and preventing transphobic bullying in school is to promote a climate of acceptance and respect for all. School principals may feel that they should respond immediately with practical supports. However, it is good practice to take time with the student, and his or her parents/guardians, to find the right solutions for their particular context rather than rushing into a standard response.

This section addresses questions and issues that may arise when students who are transgender come out while at school. The following information is offered as a way of ensuring that a pupil who comes out is supported and that it is clear to the entire school community that a climate of respect and an anti-bullying culture mean that all students should be supported. Given the higher risk of transgender young people experiencing transphobic bullying the guidance is provided to support a positive school climate and culture that is supportive of difference and diversity and that prevents transphobic bullying.

Suggestions are based on good practice and offer some guidance in this area. It is noted however that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection (Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection, 2013) recommended that comprehensive guidelines be developed in this regard.

Thats from the Irish DOE guidelines here, recognising the fact that the number of children in Irish schools who identify as transgender is increasing, and they need guidelines as to how to cope with that reality.

I didn't dismiss them. But they are not an important part of the modern trans movement. Every trans person I know uses he she or she. I am aware of some who prefer they. The only place I've encountered anything else is online and only when an anti-trans campaigner wants to make fun of people.

How many of your trans friend use one of these.alternative pronouns?

What is your proposal for assisting children who are transgendered? Or do you not believe this very natural state of existence?

If appreciate not slipping in a passive aggressive "friend" into the reply.

Edit, poster got themselves banned while I was replying. Same question to others of a similar viewpoint.

Well that’s the reason for the guidelines being introduced, is precisely because some adults were losing their shìt over the fact that children in schools in Scotland were identifying as transgender, fairly simple for the children indeed, but adults didn’t know how to cope with the phenomenon.

That's **** sick and no amount of left wing word salad will convince me otherwise.

They are entirely different circumstances.

In one case I said a piece of guidance will help those it applies to. Whether the number is large or small.

In another case I said in my experience (and seems in your as well) a situation is unlikely to arise.

So one comment I made was "situation X is unlikely".

The other comment was "the guidance will benefit those in situation Y".

Completely different types of statements.

So no contradiction I'm afraid.

And you think they are just pulling this stuff out of their backsides - just because the telegraph articles doesn't (conveniently) mention it, doesn't mean to say that this isnt grounded in due process and evidence.

To then come onto an online discussion forum and start demanding peer reviewed evidence when all you post yourself is opinion and anecdotes (and the odd biased snippet from a paywalled source) is a bit of a cheek tbh.

There IS evidence that children in schools are identifying themselves as transgender. I made no claims about children doing so secretly or that they were discussing with teachers the possibility of changing sex / toilets / names or pronouns. The children themselves are already certain about these things for themselves. The guidelines are for adults who aren’t sure how to cope with the reality they’re facing.

Why, as you wrote it, is biology hugely important? What do you mean by that? Can a child not be educated to treat and look after themselves in a particular way while still referring to themselves, or feeling that they are a different gender?

You literally sound like exactly what many on your side of the discussion are warning about, that children will be forced to identify a particular way at the direction of an adult motivated by their own beliefs. Is that not what forcing a child to identify themselves in a way contrary to how the child wants to identify themselves is doing?

It's clearly false. Another case of people being unable to argue against the content of the guidance so make up some nonsense about people not having kids instead.