Gender Non-Conforming Children and Custody
If one of your children identifies as other than his or her birth gender, a custody battle can become even more difficult for everyone involved. This is because being labeled “transgender” is a situation that the California court system does not fully understand. In order to protect your child and your parental rights, you should get the advice and guidance of an experienced San Diego custody attorney.
Recent news articles are highlighting the increasing prevalence of gender issues when it comes to custody disputes. For example, in Arizona, a father accused his wife of pushing a female identity on their son. The mother defended herself by saying that their son had always shown a preference for female clothing and toys, and that she was merely allowing him to express his own identity. The court ruled in favor of the father, granting him sole custody.
In another case, an Ohio teen diagnosed with gender dysphoria is having to sue his parents in order to have custody switched to his grandparents so that he can live the way he sees fit and not have his birth gender forced onto him. Gender dysphoria is a condition in which a person feels that his/her emotional and psychological identity as a male or female is in fact opposite to his/her biological sex. The parents in the case refuse to acknowledge the teen’s condition and will not allow him to transition, despite medical experts pleading his case.
In both cases, the local family courts have struggled to provide rulings that are consistent with current thinking on the issue of gender identity and the law. This is because many judges and lawyers lack a proper education when it comes to these sensitive matters. Although they may be well-intentioned, court officials are continuing to make harmful decisions that hurt families and transgender individuals.
If you have a young child who has signs of gender dysphoria, or an older child who prefers to identify with the opposite sex, it can certainly be difficult to know how best to handle it. Any parent in this situation should seek the help of an experienced therapist, counselor, or medical professional to learn how to ensure the health and emotional well-being of the child.
Of course, this can be especially difficult if the parents are divorcing and have differing opinions on how to help their child.
This is why you need the help of an experienced San Diego child custody attorney who has a proven track record handing contentious custody cases. At Mattis Law, A.P.C., your child’s well-being is our top priority, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure a positive outcome for you and your child.
Call one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives today at (858) 458-9500 to schedule a free consultation.