The poor kids

I have a major issue with this. First, we see a photo – deliberately controversial, of what looks like a pregnant man.  And now, he continues to dominate the news, as he announces his recent split from his wife of 9 years and tells all who will listen that he is broke, and has lost his business because of public interest in him meant lots of ‘crazies’ used to call to the store – presumably to have a firsthand view. Crazy to crazy I guess.

 

I have a genuine feeling of sympathy for Thomas Beatie, who was born Tracy Lagondino. He has not had an easy up-bringing. His mother commit suicide when he was a then 12 year old girl. And he was never close to his father. This is a tough life for any person to deal with. From an early age he says he always knew he wanted to be a man, and admits to been very much the tomboy growing up. In his early 20’s he started taking male hormones which started him on the route to gender reassignment. This can’t have been an easy thing to decide to do, but I can understand that it would bring freedom and clarity to one’s life. Live and let live.

 

Where I have an issue is with their children. Of which there are now three. These kids will live forever in the shadow of their dad, who used to be a girl. They have to try to understand the process their ‘dad’ went through to become their dad. They also have to deal with the world and its mother ('scuse the pun) knowing this most bizarre story. And now sadly, they have to deal with living in a broken home.

 

I don’t wish to judge this couple on how they decide to live their lives. They are adults. They can make their own decisions and live their life by them. I’m happy if they’re happy. It has zero effect on my life. I do however feel incredibly sad for those three kids.  Who knows what will become of them – perhaps they will be fine. But they sure won’t have it easy growing up.