The Transgender Child: a Handbook for Families and Professionals

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Aug 01, 2015 Praxedes rated it it was astonishing

Total disclosure: my xv-yr-old nephew is a trans-male child, and so this was a manner for me to understand his new life choice and what it means to those who are undergoing this transition. He is a great child, a churchgoing straight A student, and an athlete...basically a male child like any other except that anatomically he was born a girl.

This book is a terrific introduction to a miracle that is sweeping the news media today. The authors' skill lies in explaining difficult concepts in an piece of cake to sympathise

Full disclosure: my 15-year-one-time nephew is a trans-boy, so this was a way for me to understand his new life selection and what information technology means to those who are undergoing this transition. He is a nifty child, a churchgoing straight A student, and an athlete...basically a boy like any other except that anatomically he was built-in a girl.

This book is a terrific introduction to a miracle that is sweeping the news media today. The authors' skill lies in explaining hard concepts in an like shooting fish in a barrel to understand fashion. The strong advocacy and protection of transgender rights is touching and consistent; one walks away from this volume wanting to exercise something to increment awareness and acceptance of this small and relatively misunderstood segment of our society.

I volition lodge this book for my Library's Professional Development section then that teachers, counselors, and administrators have a reference for any current/future students who are undergoing this transformation.

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Jan 13, 2020 Kim Pallister rated it it was amazing

Keen volume for anyone with a trans kid in their life, who's looking for a crash grade on many facets of their transition (personal, physical, legal, medical...). Great book for anyone with a trans child in their life, who's looking for a crash course on many facets of their transition (personal, physical, legal, medical...). ...more

April 16, 2017 Mack rated it really liked it

I'm giving this 4 stars though I personally lean towards 3-three.5. It seemed to me like the entire get-go half of the book aimed to teach parents not to bully and corruption their children. This section didn't really resonate with me and was very hard for me to read, merely I recognize that it is sadly necessary in a book of this nature. I do appreciate that the authors come up from a place of no judgment and meeting all parents wherever they may be. I hope many parents take their advice.

For me personally,

I'yard giving this four stars though I personally lean towards 3-3.five. It seemed to me like the entire get-go half of the volume aimed to teach parents not to slap-up and corruption their children. This section didn't really resonate with me and was very hard for me to read, but I recognize that information technology is sadly necessary in a book of this nature. I do appreciate that the authors come from a identify of no judgment and coming together all parents wherever they may be. I hope many parents take their communication.

For me personally, it was drawn-out and repetitive. Maybe it's a lesson many parents need to hear more once. I can be okay with that and rate information technology highly for what it aims to do for the market it's reaching out to.

The rest of the book was informative and pretty helpful. I especially appreciate the sections on dealing with schools and medical issues. The book answered many questions I had about medical procedures in a manner that was easy for me to understand, and that'due south ane of the things I was very much looking for.

Despite not particularly earthworks a large chunk, I may still invest in this book just to have or lend out. There are tons of smashing references shared throughout, and I would love to farther brainwash myself. All in all, this is a great overview. I would definitely recommend information technology, especially for loved ones or professionals who are unfamiliar with transgender problems.

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The Transgender Child is an excellent introductory book for parents and professionals! The version I bought is 52 pages longer than GoodReads says. Maybe a newer version with more than added?

This book was my first formal reading in the field of transgender studies, and I honestly can't say whether it increased my understanding or merely added to the confusion. Really, that is not true. I did gain a better grasp of the various terms and core concepts related to gender identity as information technology is understood today. But equally for agreement the nature of the struggle itself, I'm still not sure. I realize this is a sensitive issue for many people, though, so I won't venture to opine about things o This book was my outset formal reading in the field of transgender studies, and I honestly tin't say whether information technology increased my understanding or merely added to the confusion. Really, that is non true. I did gain a better grasp of the various terms and cadre concepts related to gender identity equally it is understood today. Simply as for agreement the nature of the struggle itself, I'm still not certain. I realize this is a sensitive issue for many people, though, and then I won't venture to opine about things of which I know very piddling at this point. ...more than

Mar 05, 2021 Stefanie rated information technology it was amazing

"Information technology takes a specially brave and mettlesome child to proceed to affirm their truth, a truth that runs counter to the mainstream. These gender-variant and transgender children-oftentimes intelligent, creative, and sensitive kids-are doing just that. Their inner integrity guides them. They struggle over and over again to show the world who they are. All they inquire is to exist themselves."

This is an important book, and one that I think that should be required reading for everyone, merely specially anyone wh

"It takes a particularly brave and courageous kid to continue to assert their truth, a truth that runs counter to the mainstream. These gender-variant and transgender children-often intelligent, artistic, and sensitive kids-are doing simply that. Their inner integrity guides them. They struggle over and over again to testify the globe who they are. All they ask is to exist themselves."

This is an important book, and one that I think that should be required reading for anybody, but especially anyone who works children.

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Mar fourteen, 2014 Bookphile rated it really liked it

This volume is packed with useful information, which is a trivial problematic because I didn't recall it touched on some topics in plenty depth. It'due south an excellent guide for such things as dealing with problems at school, how to help a transgender child choose a college, etc., simply there's not much information on how parents and other adults should accordingly respond to a child's assertions of their gender. The book notes some of what children will say that indicates they may be transgender or gend This book is packed with useful data, which is a little problematic because I didn't think it touched on some topics in enough depth. Information technology'south an first-class guide for such things every bit dealing with issues at school, how to help a transgender kid choose a higher, etc., only at that place's not much data on how parents and other adults should appropriately respond to a child'south assertions of their gender. The volume notes some of what children will say that indicates they may be transgender or gender-variant, just it doesn't provide information as to how adults tin can answer in positive ways that will as well help the adult to get a better feel for how the kid looks at their gender identity. That'south obviously a broad topic that can't be covered in a single book, but some tips for common situations would have been welcome.

Still, this book is a very handy reference with all-encompassing lists of websites, fictional books depicting transgender and gender-variant characters, and organizations to aid parents, teachers, and family members navigate these waters.

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Jun 05, 2015 Suzy Waters rated it it was amazing

I found this volume to exist very informative and interesting. It was non full of jargon and is appropriate for anyone who wants to develop a greater understanding of transgender issues.

Sep 20, 2018 Aaron rated it actually liked information technology

Apropos gender identity and gender presentation, there are few all-encompassing publications whose primary currency is their accessibility. No matter how presumably new or modernistic the social consciousness of articulating the legal rights, medical privacies, or public spaces afforded to individuals who are gender-variant, the fact remains that educating the greater public while at the same fourth dimension educating interconnected family unit members and professional clinicians is a daunting task. Fortunately, Concerning gender identity and gender presentation, there are few all-encompassing publications whose chief currency is their accessibility. No matter how presumably new or modernistic the social consciousness of articulating the legal rights, medical privacies, or public spaces afforded to individuals who are gender-variant, the fact remains that educating the greater public while at the same time educating interconnected family members and professional clinicians is a daunting task. Fortunately, THE TRANSGENDER CHILD accepts this challenge, and in doing so, accomplishes much in the manner of providing individuals a valuable resource as the globe moves frontwards.

The question, therefore, is non wither the need for a handbook that aids families and professionals in guiding their gender-variant children; rather, the question regards whether such a feat is even possible. The dynamics are immense. And in today'southward social climate, ever-changing. How exercise parents navigate a young child'due south emotional response to adult indecision? How exercise doctors and physicians accost topics for which they are not sufficiently trained? How practise teaching professionals compartmentalize concerns for prophylactic when their plates are already so incredibly full, each and every school day?

Brill and Pepper cover a lot of footing -- some of it superficially, some of information technology more dynamically -- merely for those adults in a position to brand a positive departure in the life of a queer child, it'south all worth reading in detail. Central sections include discussion of affirmative versus damaging parenting practices; navigating private and public disclosure; working to instill change within the local pedagogy organization; and most critically, conversations about adult acceptance: "Most parents of gender-variant children and teens come to realize that what must really exist overcome is their own fright and expectations, rather than something that is inherently wrong with their child" (p. 75).

THE TRANSGENDER CHILD doesn't touch on too securely on issues concerning religion, culture, and race, each of which significantly bear on how families or communities react to the presence of a gender-variant child. Too, the volume sidesteps forceful recommendations for challenging institutional government that rebuke the child, and instead casually conceives of a "practice everything y'all tin" mentality. The tone of the book is genial and warm, merely there volition surely be occasions in which i cannot aid but find that asking nicely just won't cut it. If existing social paradigms don't care near the child'southward health, and so parents need to get tough.

All in all, the book's emphasis on making patient, informed decisions is invaluable. So too are the authors' 18-carat acknowledgement of the "learning bend" necessary for parents or other authority figures to smartly and adequately fulfill the needs of the child in their care. Indeed, this is the book'southward most important lesson: love inspires action.

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Jun 10, 2017 Amy Layton rated it really liked it

This book is nigh ten years former, but that doesn't make information technology any less useful. This book is jam packed with resources, anecdotes, and supportive words. This book is for trans knowledgeable families as well equally those who take no thought what they're doing, and it shows with how the capacity are broken downward. The first chapter is filled with vocabulary that will be used throughout the book and are useful to know in terms of your child. Then, from there, Brill and Pepper tackle the hard subjects of what to This book is about 10 years old, only that doesn't make information technology any less useful. This book is jam packed with resources, anecdotes, and supportive words. This book is for trans knowledgeable families as well equally those who accept no idea what they're doing, and it shows with how the chapters are cleaved downward. The start chapter is filled with vocabulary that will be used throughout the book and are useful to know in terms of your child. And then, from there, Brill and Pepper tackle the hard subjects of what to do in terms of your kid's educational facility, neighbors, legal systems, and medical systems.

Everything the authors said boils down to a few things: Allow your child take the lead. Do non vocalize your embarrassment or shame. Back up your child. Set up boundaries if y'all must, but make sure they are a reasonable compromise beyond all members of your family unit.

It had been a while since I'd read something under the "feminism" umbrella, and I was glad that this was the book I chose. It aided me in farther deconstructing my perceived notions of trans and nonbinary folks, and I'thousand more than than pleased to know that I have one more championship in my "feminist toolbox" to reference.

Get the full review here!

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A very well researched and gender positive resources! I have been looking at how to support a immature person who is genderqueer and am very happy this book covered that area very well.

Cheers for writing this!

Some big accept aways are to become anybody around on lath and educated. If they can't, information technology is ok to distance ourselves from them. An instance was a grandparent that was cut out of a kid's life.
To accept someone of import in our lives reject or make harmful comments toward or about our loved one

A very well researched and gender positive resource! I have been looking at how to support a young person who is genderqueer and am very happy this volume covered that area very well.

Thank you for writing this!

Some big take aways are to get everyone around on board and educated. If they can't, information technology is ok to distance ourselves from them. An instance was a grandparent that was cut out of a child'due south life.
To accept someone of import in our lives reject or brand harmful comments toward or about our loved i, is tremendously dissentious and the damage lasts a lifetime.

At that place are practical tips for using the right pronouns, especially when recounting old memories earlier the alter in pronouns and even about how to handle photos from earlier with sensitivity to the individual's preferences.

I highly recommend this book!

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This is a book that is non heavily jargon based and what is jargon is explained in an easy to understand oral communication. I listened to this through audiobook and found the narrator gave a well-done performance. The pros of this book are that information technology is easy to understand. A Con is that it has goals that seem at this day in age impossible to achieve based on club today, like have kids beingness taught gender at a immature age. Some other pro of the book is that the focus is both on the parent and child. The parents This is a book that is not heavily jargon based and what is jargon is explained in an piece of cake to empathise speech. I listened to this through audiobook and plant the narrator gave a well-done functioning. The pros of this book are that it is piece of cake to sympathise. A Con is that it has goals that seem at this day in age impossible to accomplish based on society today, similar have kids beingness taught gender at a young age. Another pro of the book is that the focus is both on the parent and child. The parents are expressed to see that they are non blamed for the origin of somehow causing a trans kid and children who are trans are expressed to just themselves no matter what. ...more

The only thing I struggled with is the vox of permissivity. Who is giving permission? Why? What say-so accept nosotros fabricated for them and why should we trust them in this authorization?

To clarify a bit. This authority is not the writer'southward of this text. They have produced a cute object that will employ pressure level to those authorities of whom I speak - breaking down the dams of their constructed ideologies to realize a greater human freedom as nosotros humans do what nosotros are good at - migrate from a syste

The merely thing I struggled with is the voice of permissivity. Who is giving permission? Why? What authorisation have we made for them and why should we trust them in this authority?

To analyze a scrap. This authorisation is non the author'south of this text. They have produced a beautiful object that will apply pressure level to those authorities of whom I speak - breaking down the dams of their synthetic ideologies to realize a greater human being freedom as we humans do what nosotros are skillful at - drift from a system of authorisation and restriction to one of safety and support.

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Jan 26, 2022 Emily VA rated it really liked it

Update: reborrowed the audiobook and finished information technology. Still impressed by the range of businesslike issues addresses. However wish for an updated version.

This is a flake tricky to review for two reasons: 1) my audiobook from the library stopped working at 75% and 2) 2008 feels a very long time agone when it comes to transgender kids and their rights.

This book is thoroughly grounded in inquiry (as of 2008), and benefits from lots of pragmatic experience on the authors' part in working with kids, families, a

Update: reborrowed the audiobook and finished it. Still impressed past the range of pragmatic issues addresses. Nonetheless wish for an updated version.

This is a bit tricky to review for 2 reasons: 1) my audiobook from the library stopped working at 75% and 2) 2008 feels a very long time ago when it comes to transgender kids and their rights.

This book is thoroughly grounded in research (every bit of 2008), and benefits from lots of pragmatic experience on the authors' office in working with kids, families, and schools. It'southward advice to parents and other caregivers is very pragmatic, which I admire. And information technology has a good, stiff emphasis on how to piece of work with schools, families, and communities to all-time support transgender children.

It also spends a lot of time making the indicate that parents of transgender children shouldn't physically abuse, mock, or shame them. And that such lack of family unit acceptance is a big determinant in bad outcomes for transgender kids. Which, true, and sadly probably yet necessary in some communities and cultures. But… probably non the default approach for nigh folks who would pick upwards this book today.

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May 11, 2018 Chante Bagley rated it information technology was amazing

This book is non incredibly informational for the a queer person, merely for a cisgender/heterosexual parent this book would exist fantastic. The terms used are piece of cake to empathize and the book does delve deeper than "gender and sexual practice or not the same affair." I would recommend this as a tool for questioning parents and plan to do so as a teacher. This volume is not incredibly informational for the a queer person, merely for a cisgender/heterosexual parent this book would be fantastic. The terms used are easy to sympathize and the book does delve deeper than "gender and sexual practice or not the same matter." I would recommend this as a tool for questioning parents and program to do and then as a instructor. ...more

Jun 03, 2021 Pam rated it really liked it

Good overview of the topic, published in 2008, when in that location was a lot less information and awareness of gender bug (although I remember 2 Head Showtime kids I still wonder about...) This book would have been helpful and so, probably a decade before this was written. Expert caption of interventions and legal bug, although unfortunately information technology has not been forrad progress merely since then.

A big portion of what the author purports as truth and scientific discipline are nothing more than anecdotal deductions based and the limited research in that location actually is about this. I wish it had been more prove based.

December 25, 2019 Ellie Mumma rated information technology information technology was amazing

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who works with kids, specially transgender kids. Parents, educators, counselors, and medical professionals can learn a lot about how to non-judgmentally care for and support transgender children and adolescents.

great for anyone raising/working with children to read, regardless of identity

October 09, 2018 Dawn rated information technology liked information technology

Very helpful at this phase of my parenting journey. Lots of relevant information. The version I read was a scrap outdated and some medical advice/limitations didn't utilize in Canada.

Oct 04, 2019 Brenna rated it it was amazing

Excellent primer for families who want to acquire how to best support their gender diverse children. Does non discuss causes and so if you're looking for that, this is not the volume. Excellent primer for families who want to learn how to best support their gender diverse children. Does not talk over causes so if you're looking for that, this is not the book. ...more than

I highly recommend this book. My youngest, 16, came out January 2017, as a trans boy. This is a wonderful book. It helped me tremendously to sympathize. Thank y'all!

Apr 03, 2020 Melissa rated it information technology was amazing

Splendid book on the science and social components of growing upwardly gender fluid, gender variant, or trans.

Dec 11, 2021 Max Klaw rated it really liked it

It held pretty well over time for a book published in 2008

A much-needed addition to the contemporary parenting book selection, The Transgender Kid is a comprehensive, informative resource. By combining research and personal stories, the authors present a text that will evidence itself indispensable not but for parents and families of transgender children, simply also for anyone who works with young people.

Many families today are facing the challenges and joys that come with raising a transgender kid. This feel tin be confusing, frustrating, and de

A much-needed add-on to the contemporary parenting volume pick, The Transgender Child is a comprehensive, informative resource. By combining research and personal stories, the authors present a text that will prove itself indispensable not only for parents and families of transgender children, but also for anyone who works with young people.

Many families today are facing the challenges and joys that come with raising a transgender child. This experience can exist confusing, frustrating, and depressing, merely also liberating, exhilarating, and empowering. The Transgender Child will give parents and caregivers a place to start equally they seek to understand, back up, and nurture their children.

Outset with bones questions (due east.g., "What is gender?" and "What makes a person transgender?") and defining terms such as gender variance, cross gender, and gender fluidity, this an accessible resource for anyone, regardless of prior knowledge or understanding. A variety of approaches and attitudes toward transgender issues is represented and affirmed. Many parents volition be relieved to observe fears, frustrations, and negative feelings best-selling and accepted. Resources, tools, and applied suggestions grow - all are anchored in the philosophy that there is no one right way to heighten a child and remind readers that we are learning more about gender all the time.

Applied issues - such as gender-specific bathrooms and habiliment choices - are covered, along with tougher subjects - including secrecy versus privacy, religion, and how to discuss a child's transgender identity with family members, friends, and school personnel. Perhaps the about valuable role of this volume is the inclusion of many personal stories from parents, family members, and transgender people themselves, telling of their transition and acceptance. This must-read is an extensive, frank, and honest exploration of an issue close to many parents' hearts.

Review by Amanda Moss

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Aug 03, 2008 jessi lee rated information technology really liked information technology

Recommends it for: families of trans or gender-questioning children

well, this book meets a need. the target audience is well-intentioned, kinda vaguely feminist & vaguely familiar with the concept of transgender families with kids under 18 who are trans or gender questioning. equally you become further from this feel, the volume becomes less helpful.

some things near it i really enjoyed. the stories from different families about their experiences with having a trans kid. the overwhelming number of positive stories where families are really trying to hard to respec

well, this volume meets a need. the target audition is well-intentioned, kinda vaguely feminist & vaguely familiar with the concept of transgender families with kids nether 18 who are trans or gender questioning. equally you get further from this experience, the book becomes less helpful.

some things about information technology i really enjoyed. the stories from unlike families almost their experiences with having a trans kid. the overwhelming number of positive stories where families are actually trying to difficult to respect & understand their child'south gender & be allies. the way it guides parents to return to their core parenting behavior & talks openly about safety & being an ally to your child. concrete strategies for being an advocate for your kid in their run-ins with the law, schools, & other institutions.

the beginning give-and-take of gender was important & will probably be actually really useful for some families in being able to all get on the aforementioned page in order to communicate. inclusion of the concept of "gender variant" seemed like it might be useful for some families whose child is genderqueer, and they bankrupt gender downward in some good ways to facilitate discussion. but overall it kinda seemed to break down into 3 categories: traditionally-gendered trans boys & girls, and then gender-variant kids who aren't trans. they didn't leave alot of space for kids who are both trans and who accept cross-gender preferences (like trans boys who like to cook, play with dolls, and clothing aprons) & i think this volume would feel marginalizing for those kids. which is too bad because those are some really great kids.

i besides longed for stories from trans parents and stories from gender-radical families who are trying to be intentional nigh respecting their kid'southward gender autonomy from birth.

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Sep 17, 2016 Ellen rated it liked it

Read or skimmed nearly 3/4 of this book over the concluding couple weeks. Overall a very good introduction/handbook for anyone working with transgender kids with lists of other resource at the end of nigh every affiliate. It was published in 2008 and I found that some of the information already feels outdated, given the ascent of transgender stories in mainstream media. It could also be my perspective as someone living in a liberal area and who went to college with many trans classmates (relatively spea Read or skimmed nigh iii/iv of this volume over the last couple weeks. Overall a very good introduction/handbook for anyone working with transgender kids with lists of other resources at the terminate of almost every chapter. Information technology was published in 2008 and I found that some of the information already feels outdated, given the rise of transgender stories in mainstream media. Information technology could too be my perspective as someone living in a liberal surface area and who went to college with many trans classmates (relatively speaking), but an updated version could be helpful as society and many medical professionals probably have more than and more experience with transgender children. I thing that did bother me well-nigh this book was that many sections had a gist of "Exist an abet for your kid" or "Educate yourself and others" without many specifics...just lists of resources at the terminate of the chapter. Some more applied sections similar scripts to use would be helpful! ...more

Jul 24, 2011 Shannon Wyss rated information technology it was amazing

Fantastic book for anyone looking to understand how to back up gender non-conforming and trans children and youth. Especially written for parents but relevant for anyone. Repeatedly mentions but glosses over specific problems of race/ethnicity, religion, and other bug that compound the lives of these young people, which isn't terribly surprising in a book that's supposed to be an overview for a general readership. Pick this book upwardly and larn how to make the lives of our fabulous, wonderful, gen Fantastic book for anyone looking to empathise how to support gender non-conforming and trans children and youth. Specially written for parents but relevant for anyone. Repeatedly mentions but glosses over specific issues of race/ethnicity, religion, and other problems that compound the lives of these young people, which isn't terribly surprising in a book that's supposed to be an overview for a general readership. Pick this book upward and larn how to make the lives of our fabulous, wonderful, gender-variant kids and teens easier. They rock our world and deserve all the support and honey nosotros can possibly give them. ...more

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