Harmful to Minors?

[Glenn]

I recently started reading the rather controversial book about parents' attititudes toward children's sexuality, Harmful to Minors by Judith Levine. It's based on the assumption that all children need honest, appropriate information about their bodies and their own sexuality.

Just curious if anyone else has read it and has comments about it. It seems to me that the patient centered protocol sounds a lot like the kind of open communication Levine espouses for everyone. Any thoughts?

Glenn

[Unregistered]

Glen,
My partner and I have 2 handicapped kids. We're a gay couple and I'm intersexed. Our adopted son/daughter is transgendered. I've no idea if he'll transition or not. My partner's biological daughter is heterosexual.
Tim and I grew up in a world of shame, secrecy, ignorance and self-loathing. We grew up in the heterosexual land of "should" that pissed on every aspect of our bodies, personalities and lives. We did not raise our kids that way. Our kids grew up on the Oz side of the rainbow meeting every diverse possibility of humanity from drag queens to Teddy Bear Dykes. They grew up with an ever increasing understanding of all human intimacy with us always encouraging them to explore and question. Our kids are handicapped (ie. different), they have a blended family, Tony is multiracial in addition to queer and adopted. Everything about us is grounded in love and celebrates diversity.
I've watched our kids grow healthy, not stunted, twisted and contorted like we did. I don't think that lies, deception, subterfuge, disembling, mis-representation or obfuscation have any place in the raising of children, especially in matters of sexuality and gender. When I first looked into those innocent, trusting eyes that would count on me for truth until they were old enough to discern for themselves I could not lie, would not lie. I didn't lie. At 15 they thank me for it.

Jim

[Glenn]

Thanks for your very cool story, Jim. It's good to know that some kids are now getting off to a better start than the rest of us did!

[Betsy]

I second Glenn on Jim's great story...the world would be a kinder place if all parents were as progressive as Jim. Thank-you Jim, for bringing in two kinder people into the world.

It really is about secrecy and shame and being put into a predetermined box that I think upsets many of us...

I'm being too broad---it's the box that upsets me when I think about my own story.

Glenn, I have not read the book but will try and get it at the library. Thanks for suggesting it.

Betsy