Actress, Charlize Theron recently revealed that she will be raising her seven-year-old adopted child, Jackson, as a girl .
Although, this hasn’t come as a huge shock. Over the years, Charlize has dressed Jackson up in dresses, which are typically seen as a feminine look.
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But now, Charlize is sharing the real story behind it all.
Charlize Theron has two children, who are both adopted.
She adopted Jackson in March 2012, and August in July 2015.
In an interview with Daily Mail, Charlize revealed that initially, she thought Jackson was a boy — as most of us did as well.
“Yes, I thought she was a boy too. Until she looked at me when she was 3 years old and said: ‘I am not a boy!,'” she said .
Charlize bluntly explained that it isn’t up to her to decide her child’s gender — it’s whatever they choose to be.
“So there you go! I have two beautiful daughters [Jackson and August, 3] who, just like any parent, I want to protect and I want to see thrive,” she said .
“They were born who they are and exactly where in the world both of them get to find themselves as they grow up, and who they want to be, is not for me to decide,” she added.
This was probably the most beautiful, pure, motherly thing I’ve ever heard.
She went on, explaining that it isn’t the parent’s duty to decide how their child identifies themselves.
But rather, ” celebrate them and to love them and to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be what they want to be.”
This immediately sparked praise from fans, fresh off the press.
This fan wrote that hearing about Charlize’s decision to raise her daughter, Jackson, as a girl, made her tear up, and that if her own parents had made the same decision her life would be very different.
For the amount of applause she was receiving, she was also experiencing a significant amount of criticism — claiming that a three year old can hardly decide what they want to eat, let alone identify their own gender.
But this fan pointed out that Jackson has had four years to change her mind, or signify if this was just a “phase”, but she hasn’t.
This person also shielded Charlize from the haters, dropping some serious knowledge:
They explained that nothing is permanent. If Jackson decides she’s actually a boy later in life and de-transitions that’s okay too — she isn’t being forced into anything.
Another fan tweeted that Charlize is the parent that every child deserves.
I second that — a parent who supports and loves their child unconditionally and gives them the freedom to be whoever they choose.
Some fans were sympathetic to the amount of hatred, bigotry, and negativity that would inevitably be aimed at Charlize.
But despite all the hateful comments Charlize has received over this, she has stuck to her own parenting strategies.
This person thanked Charlize for being the mom the world needs.
They went on to call her beautiful and smart for setting such a major example for parents everywhere.
This fan thought that Charlize’s response to Jackson calling herself a girl was perfect.
They went on to say that they hope every child that is LGBTQ+ grows up in a supportive, loving family like this one.
Some fans commented that this is what good parenting looks like.
They explained that supporting your children instead of worrying about what other people think is so important, and that putting a child in a healthy environment where they can explore things like their gender identities will result in a mentally healthier child.
Other fans were simply happy to know that there are good people out there that aren’t scared of things that may challenge what part of society views as “normal”.
They wrote that hearing about Charlize made them smile — just knowing the world isn’t all bad.
We officially stan Charlize Theron. Mama bear of the year!
Let us know what you think of her decision to trust her child’s instincts and raise her as a girl.
