Middletown Board of Education causes distress when it seeks to protect. Fix it
Middletown has served me well.
The education I received through Middletown Public Schools and libraries culminated in my acceptance into an Ivy League school, though I ultimately decided to attend a university in Boston. My experience there helped me realize just how lucky I was to learn from teachers whose passion matched that of my current professors.
So, too, have I served Middletown well. I completed my eagle scout project there and, as a volunteer EMT, I have given hundreds of hours and sleepless nights caring for my neighbors. I have treasured memories of marching in town parades and growing vegetables in Middletown’s community garden.
My former school district’s board, whose job is to serve and guide schools that impart reasoning and knowledge to children, has adopted a policy that openly disregards scientific fact.
It is unsettling and ironic to see this posturing among those who should strive to be apolitical. I believe that all policies should be based on sound research, and this one is not. There is no evidence it will improve the lives of transgender individuals; in fact, the evidence is to the contrary.
An article evaluating studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association noted transgender kids already felt more unsafe at school than their peers. Additionally, a national survey found 86% of trans youth’s mental health was negatively impacted by the debate surrounding anti-trans efforts at every level of government. With the possible harms considered, parents should also acknowledge: there is experience and support that peers at school can give that family cannot.
More perspective: The Middletown Board of Education disappoints on trans policy. This is why | Opinion
Changing one’s name or pronouns is not a decision to be taken lightly by anyone, and young people deserve time to evaluate how their decision makes them feel among those who they are most comfortable with. I believe children and young adults deserve freedom of choice surrounding expression here. It is impossible for me or any cisgender individual to understand the innumerable feelings around transitioning, meaning the most empathetic approach would be to maintain the policy designed for and endorsed by trans people through the Garden State Equality advocacy group.
This policy leaves me with questions that are overdue to be explained by the boards of Middletown and nearby districts that have adopted the same protocols:
Why weren’t any experts consulted?
What about our towns’ teachers; why not give the ones most familiar with Middletown’s children input?
What kind of example does this set for how all laws might be passed in the future?
I understand the motivation for this policy is the ultimate concern for our township’s young people. I wholeheartedly sympathize with that concern, but it must be placed in a way that is proven to benefit children rather than cause distress. I hope all this policy will be is a cause for distress, as opposed to being leveraged against the autonomy of trans kids.
I trust that this district’s educators and administrators will give trans children any support, guidance and empathy they request. The alternative is the avoidably destructive decision to out a trans child and setting a precedent for disregarding expert opinion and research.
Andrew Wrede is a resident of Middletown.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Middletown NJ board of education wrong on trans policy
