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A boy in Mum's clothing

by Charlene Giannetti and Margaret Sagarese

question

I have had a problem recently with my 12-year-old son trying on my underwear. The first time I thought it was just curiosity. His father and I discussed it, and my husband admitted he had tried his mum's underwear once as a kid.

I sat down with my son, asked him why, and was told he did not know and that it would not happen again. Soon after, I went downstairs to check the locks. I found my son with my pants on and my bra stuffed on under a T-shirt, and he was playing some make-believe game. He was very embarrassed. Now what?



answer

Any parent in this situation would be alarmed. You are probably worrying that your child is a transvestite-in-training. Before your imagination runs wild, let me point out how this generation is preoccupied with cross-dressing. Think Julian Clary. Look at Halloween costumes - dressing as a woman is so common it is almost standard for boys in early teens these days.

Still, your son's behaviour bears watching. Pay close attention over the next few years. Discuss this behaviour with a trusted professional, such as your family doctor. If the behaviour continues, arrange for your son to talk to a qualified counsellor. This issue is too confusing for your son to be comfortable explaining himself to Mum or Dad. By the way, homosexuality has nothing to do with cross-dressing. They are distinct behaviours.

Why not chat to other iVillagers about behaviour on the Mums of Children Aged 5 - 12 message board. Take a look at some of the LIVE discussions happening now on the board:

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