Featured Photo: Adolescent male experiencing dread for the first time
Choosing a gender is fast becoming a social norm. Some households hold firm that CIS gender, the traditional gender assigned at birth based on the sex of the individual, is and should be the foundation of gender identity; But, some households have embraced this new era of self identification, giving each individual the right and ability to identify as they choose per the constructed stereotypes of each gender.
One family in particular has planned a major celebration in leu of their child’s individual decision.
Roberta and Robert Fairfax, two middle American parents, are excitedly anticipating their child’s choice. “I am hoping for a she/her.” Roberta details.
“I am hoping for a he/him.” Robert adds.
“But no matter what he-” Roberta is interrupted by Robert who says, “They.” Roberta nods saying, “They.”
The teen in the spotlight is Bobby, a CIS male who isn’t thrilled about his parents’ intense interest into his choice of identity.
Bobby says, “It’s just been… Creepy.” He shutters momentarily. “Every month or so my mom would peak into my room and ask questions like, how are you doing, honey? Are you still a boy? How was school today, Bobby? Are you still a boy?”
Once children reach a certain age it’s common knowledge that they want less interaction from their parents and more independence. Bobby found his parents’ keen interest disturbing initially but now that there’s a gender reveal party planned he’s mortified.
“I’m a boy,” he says, “I’ve been a boy, I just wanna be a normal kid, boy.” He continues, “Sometimes she would stare at me before bed, like she was waiting for some gender fairy to come in the middle of the night and wave a wand.”
Bobby goes on to say, “They’ve invited everyone, my Grandma, my Grandpa, my cousins, all my friends from school. My teachers! I’m not even going to go. I’m gonna go to Fred’s and play Fortnight.” Fortnight is a popular video game among teens and adults.
In our interview Robert holds up a pink football. “I picked one up just in case.” His wife explains, “It’s not easy for teenagers now. While we were growing up society had strict views on what was appropriate identity so it made it easy for us. We didn’t have to think about things like whether or not I’d rather you know… dominate an office space in tobacco scented suits or groom myself for benefits and Galas when I grew up. Yet, now, teenagers face tough questions like, ‘does my personality fit the status quo for stereotypical male or female archetypes? or none at all.'”
“So we’ve tried to be as supportive as possible.” Her husband adds.
Roberta goes on to say, “This is a wonderful development in the cultural ecosystem. Neo classical Anglo Saxon families can enjoy a coming of age too, the Jewish have their Bar Mitzvah, Hispanics have their quinceaneras, and now… Average White American families with no cultural depth have gender reveals!”
Robert ends the interview with a final, “They could always change their mind.”
The party is scheduled to be held on Bobby’s 14th birthday.
Not an actual News Media post/For entertainment purposes only
