In a society today that is rapidly changing our past perspectives on what is right and what is wrong, is there such a thing as going too far? With the recent rise of awareness towards transgender acceptance, it has as well caused questions toward gender identities. While bringing awareness to an important topic, this has in hand has brought up the question, at what point is too far?

Parents have began to ask their children with what gender they identify most with. This is to help eliminate the confusion while growing up and as well let the child have their own opinions.  Although this sounds like a great way to let children have their own say in what who they are, there can be serious issues with doing so.

In 2016, a school council in Brighton and Hove City, sent home a letter before the school year began instructing the parents to ask their children which gender they best identify with. Parents were outraged by this. Some of the parents said that asking such a question to a four year old could potentially be dangerous in towards their child’s future. This is because children that young do not have a full perspective on the world and a thorough understanding on different gender roles. One mother said,  ‘Four-year-olds do not generally have fixed views and often don’t fully understand that their sex, color or even species is fixed.” So choosing a gender now while only four years old could potentially impact one’s life even when their forty years old.

As well one parent was hesitant saying, “we should just be able our children enjoy their innocence while going through their childhood.” Treating our children with the same responsibility as if they were adults could be dangerous. They’re not adults and they should be able to enjoy their imagination and creativity while their still young.