Protect Your Child’s Gender Identity

Our Western society has become very confused about something very basic—the male and female genders. It has become fashionable to believe that children are not really born either male or female, but that they should “choose” whether to be male or female. It seems the world has gone mad and thrown out thousands of years of basic knowledge about men, women, and their roles in society. Many parents are swallowing this evil deception hook line and sinker by choosing gender neutral names and clothing, and trying to raise their children in a gender neutral way. Our children are under attack, and we must fight back.

Parents are in an incredible position to thwart these attacks on our children, and women play an especially crucial role as the primary care givers. Here are five points to consider in the fight for your child’s gender identity.

1. Watch your child’s clothes: We do not have to look far to see the confusion in how people dress. The “grunge” or “bad boy/bad girl” look is now fashionable. You may have noticed that such clothes tend to be gender neutral. The fashion industry is deliberately blurring male and female styles; this is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 22:5). We should not allow our children to follow these types of trends. Choose colors and styles that are attractive and up to date with traditional values.

2. Watch your child’s hairstyles: I have seen very young children with spiked hair, odd shapes cut into their hair, and hair with unnatural colors. Again, these extreme styles tend to be worn by both boys and girls, further blurring the genders. God gives some specific instructions about hairstyles. Females should have hair long enough to be considered feminine and worn in a style that does not bring her undo attention (1 Corinthians 11:15, 1 Timothy 2:9). Males should have short haircuts that reflect a godly attitude of modesty and humility (1 Corinthians 11:14). As children get older, they may want to choose their own styles, but it is ultimately the parents’ responsibility to ensure their hairstyles are appropriate.

3. Watch your child’s play: Toy manufacturers are changing the norms in children’s play by featuring nontraditional toys and colors for boys and girls. Cartoon characters and even children’s books are portraying gender confusion. Playtime matters. Mothers must be diligent in deciding how their children spend their playtime. Encourage your children in play that emulates the type of life you wish for them to live.

4. Talk the talk: God has instructed us to teach our children His way of life at every opportunity (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). Mothers should remember to praise the traditional roles of men and women in the family as equally challenging and rewarding. If we express feelings of being trapped as a wife and mother, what daughter would want to follow in that path? If we do not express admiration for our husbands and his sacrifices, how will our sons know that his role will be appreciated one day? Society is busy presenting a very different message about family, roles and responsibilities; we must counter that message with Godly truths.

5. Walk the Walk: God wants us to set the right example (Matthew 5:14–16). In your home, if women are belittled, if men are put down, or if roles are otherwise blurred, your children may have difficulty with gender identification. The “proof is in the pudding”—we must show our children through our examples that God’s way works.

There is an all-out attack on traditional gender identification, and our children are being targeted. It is not just about clothes, hairstyles, or toys; it is about a way of life. Because of our roles as mothers, we are on the frontline of this battle. We have the advantage. We will be victorious through our Lord, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:4).