'I'm a boy-girl,' says 8-year-old

[Omaha Steve]

You have to admire the parents for doing what the child wants.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10636013

Published Saturday May 16, 2009
'I'm a boy-girl,' says 8-year-old

After the final bell rings at the west Omaha Catholic school, 8-year-old Ben will give away the last of his boy clothes — his school uniform — and live full time as the person inside: Katie.



Following behavioral testing, therapy and a lot of research, the parents have decided to switch their child to a public school and to let their son live as a girl.

They know the path Katie faces is long, difficult and fraught with controversy. Some scientists say the approach they are taking amounts to child abuse. Other scientists say any other response would be abuse.

What might seem like a drastic, life-altering decision for their child is in fact the culmination of years of words and deeds that convinced Katie's parents, extended family members and therapists of this: She is a girl born into a boy's body.

In the Sunday World-Herald and e-Edition, read how the family came to its decision.

[Taverner]

1. That's a girl

If at an age where all they meet is ridicule for their "choice" they still push forward to define themselves as something other than they were determined to be earlier - if that makes any sense - then Katie is a girl.

I don't get this harsh level of gender assignment - it makes no sense to me.

[Orrex]

2. I wonder how Katie was when she decided to be a girl

:sarcasm:

How wonderful that the parents are supporting her! Best of luck to Katie and her family in the years to come. If current society is any indication, they're going to need it.


K/R

[ThomCat]

3. That is a wonderful set a parents.

:loveya:

I would love to know more about how Katie has expressed this to the family and how the family came to this decision. I'm sure that there is a pretty big and deep story here. :)

I really hope they have enough outside professional support in all the right places, and friends who love and support them, to keep hateful people from making their lives unbearable. I really hope things go well in Katie's life.

To all of them, :toast: Please be well.

[Autumn Colors]

4. Reminds me of this movie...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/

"Ma Vie En Rose"
(not to be confused with "La Vie En Rose")

[UndertheOcean]

5. Good of the parents to be open minded .