Do you actually know what your child is being taught about gender and identity at school?

Child and adolescent psychologist Clare Rowe says many parents have no idea what is being introduced in classrooms, particularly in the early primary years. She joins Justin to unpack what she believes is a growing gap between what children are being taught and what they are developmentally ready to understand.

They discuss gender identity education, the role of schools versus parents, what Clare is seeing in her psychology practice, and why she believes parents need greater transparency about classroom content.

Most importantly, Clare explains how parents can find out exactly what their school is teaching without starting a fight.

KEY POINTS

• Why Clare believes some gender concepts are being introduced too early
• The difference between teaching inclusion and introducing complex ideas about identity
• Why young children can struggle with abstract concepts
• What Clare is seeing among children presenting with gender distress
• The concern around moving young people quickly towards medical interventions
• Why parents may not know what outside providers are teaching at school
• How to ask your school for lesson plans and curriculum information without becoming confrontational

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Get curious, not furious.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Clare Rowe and Rowe & Associates Child and Family Psychology
• The Rowe Report
• On the Couch with Clare
• Respectful Relationships programs
• Happy Families

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

1. Ask your school what your child is being taught about sex, gender and identity.
2. Request lesson plans, curriculum details and information about any third-party providers.
3. Find out when this content will be taught so you can talk about it at home.
4. Approach the school calmly and ask questions before drawing conclusions.
5. Consider approaching the school with two or three other parents if you feel more comfortable doing it together.