John [the father] kept saying, "You have a penis. That…
![“John [the father] kept saying, "You have a penis. That means you’re a boy." One day, Shannon noticed that her son had been in the bathroom an awfully long time and pushed the door open. "He had a pair of my best, sharpest sewing scissors poised, ready to cut. Penis in the scissors. I said, 'What…” quote by Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/037/andrew-solomon-1140_gender_john-the-father-kept-saying-you-have-a-p_2623428.jpg)
““John [the father] kept saying, "You have a penis. That means you’re a boy." One day, Shannon noticed that her son had been in the bathroom an awfully long time and pushed the door open. "He had a pair of my best, sharpest sewing scissors poised, ready to cut. Penis in the scissors. I said, 'What are you doing?' He said, 'This doesn’t belong here. So I’m going to cut it off.' I said, 'You can’t do that.' He said, 'Why not?' I said, 'Because if you ever want to have girl parts, they need that to make them.' I pulled that one right out of my ass. He handed me the scissors and said, 'Okay.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A child attempts self‑harm due to misunderstanding of gender and bodily autonomy, highlighting the need for compassionate education and support.
In simple terms: A child tried to cut his penis because he thought it was necessary to become a girl.
Key Takeaway
Provide accurate, supportive guidance on gender and body autonomy.
Themes
gender identity
mental health
parenting
education
Mood
concerned
empathetic
Type
educational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- family discussions
- school counseling
- medical guidance
- support groups
Key Concepts
self‑harm
body autonomy
gender dysphoria
Questions to Reflect On
- How can caregivers better explain gender diversity?
- What resources help prevent self‑injury in gender‑questioning youth?
A Different Perspective
The child’s fear stems from lack of proper information, not inherent desire to self‑harm.