As parents, we can easily empathize with the child left out of birthday celebrations or playing alone on the playground. We often wonder who will reach out to include them. For families with gender non-conforming (GNC), transgender, or non-binary children, National Sons and Daughters Day can feel like another instance of exclusion—leaving them out of the celebration entirely.
These observances do not account for kids and their parents who do not conform to traditional gender norms. Mia, from Austin, Texas, is the mother of 14-year-old twins—one identifies as a cisgender male while the other is non-binary. “I don’t understand why we need gender-specific days for kids,” she shares. “We should be celebrating and supporting our children every day. If that’s not happening, a national holiday won’t change that. For families like ours, these days can be a reminder of the lack of inclusivity.”
Originally inspired by National Take Your Daughters to Work Day, these celebrations emerged from a culture that often defines children by their gender. While they aim to encourage parents to spend quality time with their kids, they inadvertently exclude those who identify outside the binary.
A similar sentiment is echoed by Alex, a mom from San Diego with a 13-year-old transgender son. “I hadn’t fully grasped the exclusionary nature of the gender binary until my child came out as trans. The first National Sons and Daughters Day after that was a painful reminder of where we didn’t fit in.”
In San Francisco, Jordan, a parent of a gender-fluid 16-year-old, feels that these celebrations are just another way to collect data on family dynamics, lacking true inclusivity.
National Sons and Daughters Day, observed on August 11, is meant to encourage families to engage in special activities together. There’s also National Daughters Day on September 25 and National Sons Day on September 28, both of which flood social media with celebratory posts. The movement gained traction in 2018 when a mother, Lisa, shared her vision of sons growing into responsible men.
These gender-specific holidays are recognized globally, from sibling celebrations in India to Parents’ Day in South Korea. However, they often fail to acknowledge the approximately 2 million Americans who identify as non-binary or GNC—individuals who are overlooked in these festive moments.
So, why do these national holidays resonate so much? Perhaps it’s because they create an opportunity for families to pause and appreciate one another’s presence. If we are to endorse these celebrations, let’s ensure they are inclusive of all gender identities.
A more welcoming society could embrace a “Schitt’s Creek” approach—accepting all identities without question. We can work to honor those who do not identify strictly as sons or daughters, moving toward a future that embraces all families.
Reflecting on this topic has shifted my perspective on these holidays. I am thankful to the parents and kids who shared their feelings about these gendered celebrations. Moving forward, I will strive to make our world more inclusive for all children—regardless of gender identity—because every individual deserves recognition and acceptance.
For more insightful discussions on similar topics, check out this post on our site. If you’re looking for comprehensive resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit the CDC’s website. Additionally, for practical guidance, you can explore Make A Mom’s artificial insemination kit.
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In summary, while National Sons and Daughters Day aims to foster family bonding, it often overlooks those who don’t fit neatly into traditional gender categories. A shift towards inclusivity is essential for all families to feel acknowledged and celebrated.
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