Discussion of gender identity among children and adolescents has become much more prominent in the last decade. Questions remain about the extent to which schools should deal with such complex issues
When it comes to issues of sexuality, children and adolescents simply cannot be corralled into a state of blissful ignorance, as was practice in the past. Photograph: Getty Images
Certainly in my school days, issues of dysphoria, gender identity and gender fluidity simply never arose in an educational context. Which is not to say that such issues simply did not then exist. But nowadays, the experience of children and prevailing attitudes among adults in relation to sexuality are radically different. The internet effectively means that nearly any child or adolescent can explore issues relating to sexuality outside of educational and parental supervision.
The European Convention on Human Rights in article 2 of the first protocol provides: “In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical teachings”.
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