National Geographic's Trans Poster Child And The Case For Faith-Based Parenting

In January 2017, National Geographic published a provocative cover image that many consider a pivotal moment in the media's endorsement of a new cultural approach to gender. The cover, emblazoned with the phrase "Gender Revolution," featured nine-year-old Avery Jackson--a biologically male child dressed in pink, proudly proclaiming, "The best thing about being a girl is, now I don't have to pretend to be a boy." 

This moment signaled the beginning of a radical cultural shift toward affirming young children's self-professed gender identities, even if those identities conflicted with their biological sex.

Today, Avery is 17 and identifies as nonbinary, using they/them pronouns, and describes their gender experience as a "cosmos of all genders but also no gender at all." Avery's story is complex and layered, showing how much a child's sense of self can shift over time and raising pressing questions about the effects of early gender affirmation on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. 

Avery's experience, coupled with the broader cultural movement around child-led gender decisions, highlights why it is so critical for parents to guide their children biblically, providing a stable foundation that honors God's design.

A decade ago, cases like Avery's were unusual. Most children who expressed discomfort with their biological sex were gently guided through childhood, with the understanding that many gender-questioning children ultimately come to embrace their biological sex. However, with the advent of social media, the support of mainstream media outlets, and the establishment of "gender-affirming" therapies, more children are being encouraged to "explore" their gender identities early, with some transitioning socially and medically by adolescence.

The normalization of child-led gender transitions has been fueled by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which supports "gender-affirming care" for minors. This approach includes allowing children to socially transition, blocking the natural process of puberty, and prescribing cross-sex hormones, sometimes as early as adolescence. Supporters argue that affirming children's identities improves their mental health, yet recent studies indicate a far more complex reality, with some detransitioners reporting regret, physical complications, and emotional distress.

Avery's experience of transitioning early, then adopting a nonbinary identity, brings up serious questions about whether children are mature enough to make decisions with permanent consequences, such as infertility. Reports suggest that those who transition as minors often face sterility due to puberty blockers and hormones--a heavy, irreversible consequence for decisions made in childhood.

A central tenet of gender ideology today is the belief that children are capable of self-determining their gender. This perspective is a departure from traditional Christian beliefs that view parents as responsible for guiding their children. For Christian parents, allowing a young child to make profound life-altering decisions poses a challenge to biblical principles of family and parental authority.

Research consistently shows that children's identities, interests, and self-concepts change over time. Neurological studies indicate that the prefrontal cortex--the part of the brain involved in decision-making, impulse control, and understanding consequences--isn't fully developed until a person is in their mid-20s. Yet in gender discussions, this well-established understanding is often ignored, with activists advocating that even young children should have autonomy in decisions as serious as gender transition.

Avery's story is an example of how quickly and dramatically a child's identity can shift. At nine, Avery identified as a girl. Today, at 17, Avery's nonbinary identity illustrates a natural progression--children's perceptions and self-understanding evolve. 

While the world champions "affirmation" and follows a child's lead on gender, Christian parenting offers an alternative approach: one that involves lovingly guiding children according to biblical principles, helping them build a secure identity based on their God-given biological sex.

The assumption that early gender transition is the best solution for children grappling with gender dysphoria is increasingly challenged by both research and testimonies. A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics indicates that minors who undergo gender transition may be at an elevated risk of experiencing long-term mental health struggles. Despite the initial relief that transitioning may bring, there is growing evidence that many individuals experience regret, distress, and a sense of disillusionment when they reach adulthood.

Detransitioners--individuals who return to living in alignment with their biological sex after transitioning--have become vocal about their experiences, shedding light on the potential harms of early medical intervention. Chloe Cole, who began her transition as a minor and later detransitioned, has testified about the intense psychological pain and physical complications she endured, including sterility and lasting hormonal changes. Her story is echoed by many others who, like Avery, transitioned young and later struggled with the permanence of those early decisions.

From a Christian perspective, the rush to medicalize children's gender exploration reflects a deeper spiritual issue. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." In this context, Christians are called to think differently about identity, grounding it in Scripture rather than cultural trends.

For Christian parents, raising children in a culture that increasingly supports early gender transitions can be deeply challenging. Ephesians 6:4 instructs parents to "bring [children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This call to discipleship stands in stark contrast to secular parenting approaches that encourage children to "follow their heart" or "live their truth."

When Avery was very young, the daycare he attended gave him a princess dress, and that moment sparked his journey into identifying as a girl. It is understandable that children are influenced by what they see, hear, and experience from the people around them. This illustrates the vital role that parents play in shaping a child's identity. When children are led by biblical truth, they have a secure foundation to fall back on as they grow and navigate life's challenges. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

To guide children biblically means to lead them in understanding their value and identity as rooted in being made in God's image--male and female. This does not mean ignoring children's feelings or struggles but rather walking alongside them with love and patience, providing a steady anchor of truth rather than encouraging experimentation with identity. Many Christian counselors and psychologists encourage parents to affirm children in their biological sex while addressing any distress or discomfort with empathy, rooted in God's Word.

Avery's story is one among many in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. The rise of gender ideology has left many parents confused and concerned, particularly within the Christian community, where biblical teachings on gender and family are increasingly in conflict with secular norms. For Christian parents, the call to lead their children biblically is more crucial than ever.

Leading children in a biblical worldview involves setting boundaries with love and firmness, helping them understand that feelings can be fleeting, but God's Word is an unchanging foundation. A Christian parent's role is to disciple their children, helping them see themselves as God sees them and encouraging them to embrace the unique design God has given them. In a culture that often pressures parents to "affirm" any and all expressions of identity, the Bible offers a different perspective: one that emphasizes truth, love, and guidance rooted in the knowledge of God's creation and design.

As Christians, we are called to love others compassionately and truthfully. This applies especially to parenting. While the world may encourage parents to follow their child's lead, the Bible reminds us to lead our children. This responsibility involves helping them understand God's purpose for their lives and teaching them to build their identity on His Word.

Avery's journey from "girl" to nonbinary underscores how fluid childhood identity can be. It is a reminder that children's understanding of themselves will continue to change as they grow. For Christian parents, the answer is not to follow the world's path but to anchor children in truth, guiding them in God's design and purpose. By providing a loving, stable environment based on biblical principles, parents can help their children navigate life's challenges with confidence and clarity.

In a world filled with messages that seek to redefine identity, Christian parents are called to be a voice of truth, leading their children toward a life of faith, purpose, and a clear understanding of who they are in Christ.