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A kids television show with a transgender story-line is annoying UK parents.
Just A Girl is about an 11-year-old schoolgirl’s struggle to get hormone drugs. She needs them to have sex-change surgery.
The show’s timing has annoyed parents more than the subject matter.
It features on the British CBBC website. This site is aimed at children as young as six. Other shows on the channel include Blue Peter and Danger Mouse.
One mother said her daughter was worried after seeing the video. She says her daughter, who likes playing football and wearing boys’ clothes, is concerned she might really be a boy.
British family campaigner Norman Wells says he thinks the programme is irresponsible. He does not think the BBC should introduce children as young as six to “the idea that they can choose to be something other than their biological sex”.
The programme records the fictional video diary of “Amy”. Amy – played by an actress – reveals she was born biologically male, called Ben. In the show she has already started using puberty-halting drugs.
The BBC say Just A Girl is about a fictional transgender character trying to make sense of the world. They say its story-lines include themes many children relate to. The themes include bullying and working out how to keep her friends.
They also say they have had a positive response from audiences.
“CBBC aims to reflect true life, providing content that mirrors the lives of as many UK children as possible,” they said.
Some parents support the show, saying”I don’t believe there is ‘too young’ for stuff like this. The earlier you teach your children that everyone is different and that nobody is ‘normal’ the better.”
That’s a view backed up by a clinical psychologist specialising in transgender children.
“Raising awareness of these issues is the best way to challenge stigma and discrimination associated with identity issues,” Dr Polly Carmichael said.
“Programmes like Just A Girl can contribute to a healthy and informed public discussion.”
Source
- Stuff
- Image: The Telegraph
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