CBC Calgary recently reported on the ruling of a Medicine Hat judge, who decided a four-year-old would no longer be allowed to wear girls’ clothing in public.
This ruling was the result of a custody battle. The child, who was born a boy, would choose to dress in girls’ clothing and told the mother she identified as a girl. Having seen the child’s distress, seeking professional help and researching gender dysphoria, the mother decided to support the child.
When she told the child’s father of this decision, he blamed the mother for the child’s gender confusion and sought full custody.
CBC reported that in the initial ruling, the child was not allowed to wear girl’s clothing in public. A second judge came to the same conclusion. It was then decided in a third court appearance that the parents must give the child both boy’s and girl’s clothing options.
Angela Reid, with the Trans Equality Society of Alberta, said:
"If it's actually a boy who thinks he's a boy but he wants to wear dresses anyway, that is totally OK, and that should not be prevented by the court.”
Reid believes dictating a child’s dress is a violation of basic human rights.
Trans rights are something that I am in the process of further educating myself about. However, even with little knowledge and understanding, I whole-heartedly agree with Angela Reid.
I have also noticed a trend in the media in regards to these cases. Society seems more upset by a child choosing to dress “girly” than if they dressed otherwise. Would fathers be as threatened if their daughter chose to wear boys’ clothing?
Putting gender identity aside, I believe in many of these cases, it is a fear of their young boys looking less masculine, than a fear of anything else. By teaching his child that dressing in women’s clothing is wrong, is he not, by extension, telling his child that the women who wear the clothing are lesser?
Since I am still learning about trans rights and issues, I cannot speak to the specifics of this case. I can only speak to the overall concept of the court dictating what a child can wear. We allow our children to dress-up and go out in public as princesses and super heroes. Why should we limit this child? Dictating the way anyone should dress is a violation of his or her basic freedoms.
Regardless of a child’s perceived gender, or gender identity, they should be able to wear whatever they choose. To police children’s way of dressing themselves is to stunt their personal growth and creativity.
Whether they are going through a childhood phase, or determining their gender identity, as long as children are safe, loved and happy, they should be able to wear whatever they please. Ultimately, children should be taught that no matter their outward appearance and clothing, they are deserving of love and respect.
