Childhood as we previously understood it is facing “destruction” in Western society, according to a Tory MP.
It comes after a report from the Policy Exchange claimed many schools “routinely disregard” safeguarding principles on gender identity.
The report claims that some schools suggested informing parents when their child expressed a wish to change gender would breach the child’s confidentiality.
Conservative MP Miriam Cates has called on adults to act more in the best wishes of children.
Miriam Cates has warned a new report shows childhood as we know it faces 'destruction'
GB News / Pa
Speaking to GB News, she said: “It certainly feels like a destruction of childhood as we previously understood it.
“Our children are inherently vulnerable and it is the responsibility of all adults to act in the best interests of their welfare.
“And I say welfare, not their wishes. We all know if children had their way, they would eat sweets all the time or stay up all night watching videos.
“The idea of parenting is not allowing children to do what they want, but to train them in the best virtues, values, characters and skills that will set them up for adult life.
Miriam Cates MP is concerned about what children are being taught in schoolsGB News“Where we’ve gone wrong is, we’ve suddenly decided that what a child wants is what they should have. Even down to what gender they want to be.
“It’s absurd when you think about it, If you hear a child say they don’t feel like doing maths today, what teacher would say ‘ok then, we better affirm you in that and not tell your parents that you’re not doing maths?’”
Speaking to Patrick Christys, the GB News presenter pointed out that the Government Cates works for has not helped to stem the tide of the issue.
The Tory MP claims it is an issue affecting Western society in general and not just the UK, questioning whether a different government would have been more effective on the issue.
She told GB News: “I think that’s a very question, but I think another fair question would be: Would it have been different or worse with a different government?
“If you look across the whole of Western society, this is rampant.
“You’ve seen America and you saw what happened in New Zealand the other week.
“Culture is upstream of politics and unfortunately we have been too slow to react.”
Patrick probed Cates over the issue, saying she could be guilty of “whataboutery” with her argument.
She said: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The great thing about this report is we are now starting to find out what is really going on in our schools.
“For many families, it’s too late. But it’s still really important to find out what’s going on.
“Just today, the Prime Minister has announced that he will be bringing on new guidance that will show how schools should be addressing children with gender distress so that this safeguarding scandal does not continue.
“So I think it’s fair to say that the Prime Minister is acting on this and is taking it incredibly seriously.
“Of course it should have happened earlier, but at least it’s happening now.”