BIG MONEY IN TRANSGENDER REALITY TV
Imane Khelif is the Algerian boxer often misidentified in online discussions as transgender. Upon returning home he went back to living as a man.
The Dangers of Guiding Toddlers into Transgenderism
Parents or guardians, not toddlers, change children’s names. Toddlers don’t have the ability to change their names themselves. Some parents on reality TV claim their toddlers “legally changed” his or her names, but common sense tells us this isn’t true. Toddlers don’t hire lawyers, go to court, or handle legal matters—parents do that for them.
Be aware that network and platform owners are the ultimate decision-makers when it comes to who is featured on a reality show. Their legal responsibility is to their shareholders, not to the lifelong challenges of reality TV stars. Network executives are not concerned with a star’s long-term outcomes; their focus is on delivering quarterly returns on investment for shareholders.
Only adults can perform legal activities. Parents of children on reality TV often say the name change happened “after” their child socially transitioned and began identifying as the opposite gender. They use this explanation to make their actions seem more innocent and easier for the public to accept. In reality, for transgender children on TV shows, parents make all the decisions and accept performance fees for broadcasting their children’s lives as “entertainment.” Logic reminds us that toddlers don’t shorten their names, sign legal documents, or go to court—parents do.
One transgender child on reality television has become very well known, growing up while sharing their story with the world. That child’s journey started when the child was very young, with the child’s parents deciding the child was transgender at age two—a claim that defies common sense and logic.
This raises a big question: Can a toddler decide to change his or her gender?
The answer is no—of course not. Toddlers are too young to understand or make such critical life choices. This article explores the mistakes adults make when they encourage very young children, into transgenderism. It warns parents to think carefully before making irreversible, life-changing decisions for their toddlers.
Mistake #1: Assuming Toddlers Understand Gender
Kids as young as two or three don’t fully understand what gender is. They might enjoy playing with toys or wearing clothes typically meant for the opposite sex, but that doesn’t mean they’re transgender. For example, a boy might want to wear a dress because it’s sparkly, not because he feels like a girl. The parents of one reality TV child saw him liking “girls” toys and decided he was transgender. But young kids explore all kinds of things—it’s how they learn. Labeling a toddler as transgender based on play can lock them into an irreversible path they might not choose later.
Consider this: toddlers, both boys and girls, love playing in puddles, especially muddy ones. They enjoy getting mud in their hair, ears, or even up their noses. Does that mean we should assume they’ll live on the streets forever because they played in mud? Of course not. Similarly, playing with certain toys or clothes doesn’t define a child’s gender.
Mistake #2: Parents’ Beliefs Shaping Toddlers’ Choice
It is known publicly, that the parents of a reality TV star (very popular today) were deeply interested in transgender issues long before their child was born. When they noticed their son acting in ways they thought were “feminine,” they quickly decided he was transgender.
More often than not, adults’ own beliefs or interests lead them to see things in their kids that might not be there at all. Instead of letting their child explore who he or she was over time, these parents make major decision when the child is far too young to understand. Parents must be careful not to let their own ideas shape their child’s identity. If parents are earning significant money from their child’s transgender story, they may avoid being truthful or looking at the matter obectively fearing the loss of income if the child questions the path.
Mistake #3: Putting Kids in the Spotlight
When children grow up on TV, camera crews follow them from a young age. Networks like TLC prioritize earnings for their shareholders, not the child’s future well-being. Parents choose to share their child’s story on shows like 20/20 or 60 Minutes, or even allow them on reality shows. While these programs raise awareness about transgender issues, they also place enormous pressure on the child to stick to the transgender label. Once a child’s story is public, it’s nearly impossible for them to change their mind or explore other paths without feeling embarrassed, judged, or afraid of disappointing their parents.
Kids need privacy to figure out who they are, not a public stage where the world watches and critiques their every move. Harsh criticism on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok has contributed to many tragedies. Over the past ten years, an estimated 600,000 underage suicides worldwide have been linked to the internet or television, though underreporting may skew this number. Public exposure can make life even harder for these children.
Mistake #4: Medical Steps Too Early
Some reality TV children started taking puberty blockers when they were still young. These drugs stop normal puberty, like growing taller, developing a deeper voice in boys, or developing breasts and hips in girls. Later, these children often face surgeries to change their bodies. These steps are serious and usually irreversible. For example, puberty blockers can weaken a child’s bones, and surgeries can cause health problems later. Doctors and parents should wait until a child is old enough to understand these risks before taking such serious steps. When a young child’s story shows how tough these treatments are, they may stay silent about regrets or health issues, fearing they’ll be scolded or blamed for disrupting the family’s wealth.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Mental Health
Being transgender is extremely difficult, especially for someone growing up in front of cameras. Some reality TV stars have openly discussed struggling with depression and anxiety. Too often, adults focus so much on a child’s gender that they overlook other issues, like sadness or confusion. Kids need help with their emotions, not just their gender identity. If parents of reality TV children focused more on their child’s feelings instead of their transgender identity, the public might feel more empathy for these children’s mental health struggles. Subconsciously, many people assume that because the child and family are earning six figures, their mental health issues aren’t as serious.
The Contradictions in Reality TV Children’s Stories
Transgender life brings stark contradictions. While advocates call a transgender child “a brave role model,” that child often faces bullying, health problems, and emotional struggles. These children’s stories are meant to inspire, but they also reveal how difficult life can be when adults make big choices for a child. Reality TV kids have said they’re happy being transgender, but they’ve also shared how hard it is to live under the world’s scrutiny. This mix of highs and lows serves as a warning: rushing a child into transgenderism can lead to a complicated, sometimes painful, and irreversible life.
No toddler can decide to change his or her name or gender. Parents who push their young children into transgenderism, especially under the spotlight of reality TV, risk making irreversible mistakes. By waiting, listening, and giving kids time to grow, parents can help them find their own path without the dangers of regret or harm. This is a cautionary tale: love your kids, but let them decide who they are when they’re ready.
A Caution for Parents
Parents want what’s best for their kids, but they need to be careful about making big decisions too soon. Here are some tips to avoid mistakes:
- Wait and Watch: Let kids explore who they are without labeling them. Playing with certain toys or clothes doesn’t mean they’re transgender.
- Listen, Don’t Lead: Ask kids how they feel and let them share their thoughts over time. Don’t push them toward a specific identity.
- Keep It Private: Avoid sharing your child’s gender journey with the world. They need space to grow without pressure.
- Focus on Health: Make sure any medical choices, like puberty blockers, are made when the child is old enough to understand the risks.
- Support Their Feelings: Pay attention to your child’s emotions. If they seem sad or confused, get them help from a qualified counselor.
Reality Television transgender stories are powerful examples of what can happen when adults make big choices for very young kids. And if we are to be transparent, it has now become quite obvious that none of the transgender programs that have been aired on Television or the Internet globally, have succeeded; all have failed.
While parents thought they were helping their children, the parent’s decisions led to a life full of challenges. No two-year-old can decide to change his or her gender, and parents need to be careful not to rush into labeling or treating their kids as transgender.
By waiting, listening, and giving children time to grow, parents can help them find their own path without the risks of regret or harm. Love your kids, but let them decide who they are when they’re ready.
And remember that when millions of dollars are involved, even your toddler knows he or she does not want to disappoint you or his or her siblings. The pressure money can put on a family is excrutiatingly strong. Don’t ignore that.
