If You Don't Stand for Something...

I read something today that I found deeply disturbing. Apparently there is a woman in Seattle who, based on the advice of her eight year old son, has decided to allow her five year old son to wear dresses because it makes him “happy.” Now she has written a book designed to “help” parents (You can read an article about the “Princess Boy,” complete with pictures, here: http://bit.ly/gxPKMT )

As I read the story, it became pretty clear that the boy’s mother was letting herself be ruled by her emotions rather than the Holy Spirit -- not that the article gives any indication that the woman considers herself a Christian. However, for those who are Christians, I thought it might be helpful to lay out some of the facts.
The Bible is explicitly clear:
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.” (Deuteronomy 22:5)
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-10, NASB, emphasis added)
As for the mother’s argument that “even a basic level of acceptance can really change lives,” this is not about acceptance. A parent doesn’t let their child play in a busy street, even if the child enjoys it. A parent doesn’t let their child eat rat poison, even if the child wants to. A parent tries to motivate positive development with regard to diet, potty training and work ethic. What this mother needs to accept is not her child’s gender confusion, but rather, her responsibility to parent. Notice: There is no mention of a father in this scenario.* That a five year old boy is imitating the only “adult” in the house should not be rebuked, but the child should be lovingly given opportunity to model after some responsible men. They may be hard to find, but they do exist.
When Isaiah said “a little child will lead them” (11:6), this was not what he had in mind. I think a more appropriate analogy is Matthew 15:14: “Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
I could probably go on for several more pages, but here’s the point I’m driving at: Unlike a lot of the pop psychology going around today, it’s not the job of parents to be their child’s buddies or ensure that their child is “happy.” The job of parents is to PARENT. Once a child is 21, it’s arguable that the role of the parent has shifted from “nurture and admonition” (Ephesians 6:4, KJV) to simply praying for them. However, you shouldn’t contribute to the delinquency of a minor. A parent needs to tell her son he must wear boys’ clothes, and her daughter she can’t eat only candy.
Except where indicated, all Scripture taken from the New International Version, copyright 1984. See: http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=102

*I just looked at the article again and noticed that one of the photos shows the boy with his brother and both parents. The article also has this quote from the "father": " 'It's not contagious,' he said. 'He's just like any other kid. He plays checkers, he plays in the trees. He just likes to do it in a dress. Big deal.' " However, the rest of the article seems to indicate that the mother "wears the pants in the family," so to speak, so I stand by my comments that the boy needs opportunities to model responsible men.