Archbishop of Canterbury says young boys in nursery and primary schools should be allowed to wear tiaras and tutus
Most Rev Justin Welby also warned about the damage transphobic bullying causes
BOYS at nurseries or primaries should be able to dress up in tiaras and tutus, the Church of England says.
All children should “explore the possibilities of who they might be” without being labelled or bullied, it says in new guidance to its schools.
The CofE advised: “Pupils need to be able to play with the many cloaks of identity (sometimes quite literally with the dressing up box).
“A child may choose the tutu, princess’s tiara and heels and/or the fireman’s helmet, tool belt and superhero cloak without expectation or comment.
“Children should be afforded freedom from the expectation of permanence. They are in a ‘trying on’ stage of life, and not yet adult and so no labels need to be fixed.
“It may be best to avoid labels and assumptions which deem children’s behaviour irregular, abnormal or problematic just because it does not conform to gender stereotypes or today’s play preferences.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby warned that “transphobic bullying causes profound damage.”
He added: “We must avoid, at all costs, diminishing the dignity of any individual to a stereotype or a problem.”
The Church of England has 4,700 schools, collectively teaching a million pupils.
