Worried parents have withdrawn their four-year-old son from his school’s World Book Day after they claimed a book they were reading could be “confusing and harmful” for gender identity.
Stephen and Joanne Evans removed their son from St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex over the book, My Shadow is Pink.
The couple believe the book promotes the idea of an inner gender identity and believe it might lead children to think they or others have been born into the wrong body.
After hearing their child’s class would be using the book, written by Scott Stuart, as part of World Book Day, they asked to withdraw him for the day.
The parents claim that the book promotes the idea of an inner gender identity
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They also claim other parents raised concerns but that the “head teacher has ignored it”.
The Evans said they were “shocked” and “knew something was not right”.
“Parents who believe we are born male and female and who do not want their children exposed to harmful ideology are losing their voice and their rights,” they told The Telegraph.
“We want the [Church of England] hierarchy to step in and do more to protect the rights and beliefs of, not just Christian parents, but all parents who do not want their children exposed to transgender propaganda.”
With the support of advocacy group Christian Concern, the couple have written to the Church of England’s Chief Education Officer, Nigel Genders to voice their concerns.
Headteacher Aleishia Lewis has defended the use of the book in school.
In a letter she said: “The primary focus of the story is not gender identity.
“The boy in the story doesn't change his gender, nor is there any reference to him wanting to.
“The main theme of the book, as referenced by the author himself, is one of gender stereotyping and the book was written when his own son came home upset after being told by another child that he couldn't wear an Elsa dress at nursery because he was a boy.
“The very fact that the shadows are pink and blue are a stereotype in itself and reinforces a concept that is present within even our youngest children in Reception.
The couple said they were “shocked” and “knew something was not right” after hearing the child's class would be using the book
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“The Dad in 'My Shadow is Pink' demonstrates that acceptance comes from a place of love and we want every child in our school to recognise that they should show love to others in the same way.”
The book, published in 2020, explores the world of a boy who feels uncomfortable with male stereotypes.
In the story, the father tells his son: “Your shadow is pink, I see now it's true, it's not just your shadow, it's your innermost you.”
The text has also been criticised by policy group Transgender Trend as it promotes the “idea that changing appearance through opposite sex clothes and hair length changes natal sex.”
Some argue that the book is about challenging stereotypes.
