Divorce, Remo Largo and trans children: our topics in March
Dear reader
The other day, our son told us at home that a pupil had been crying really hard in class. «Jonah is not doing well. His parents are always arguing. Jonah says he doesn't want his dad to go away. He loves him just as much as his mum.» Our little daughter had listened attentively. «You two are married,» she said with relief. «You'll always be together.»
That is the primal wish of every child. The reality is different. Today, almost every second marriage ends in divorce. In this «Divorce» dossier, our author Andres Eberhard explores the question: How do parents manage to continue as a family after separation and behave in the best interests of the child?
«Society should
mental suffering as well
as broken bones, kidney stones
bones, kidney stones or the flu - as normal ups and downs of human life.»Aaron Reuben & Jonathan Schaefer, psychologists,
Duke University, North Carolina, USA
Lukas is three years old when his parents realise how interested their child is in his cousin's Barbies. And how much he loves putting on her skirts. They think it's just a phase. At the age of seven, Lukas is asked by a friend of his mother: «If you were all alone in the world, what would you want to be?» Lukas doesn't hesitate for a second: «A girl.»
Lukas is now Lea, a 14-year-old girl with long, blonde hair. «I can't remember ever feeling like a boy.» Lea is a trans girl, a girl born in a boy's body. Lea is one of around 8,000 children in Switzerland who cannot identify with their biological gender.
My colleague Florian Blumer, whom I warmly welcome as a new member of the Fritz+Fränzi editorial team, met Lea. He tells the story of a teenager who has only one wish: to be allowed to live as a girl.
A month ago, I told you here about Joel 's training with his guide dog. You will remember that the seven-year-old boy from Frutigen BE has Asperger's syndrome, a variant of autism. He desperately wants a dog to give him a sense of security. His mother approached us with a request to help finance the purchase. Thanks to your many small and large donations, we were able to raise the necessary amount.
Joel was due to meet his new companion for the first time on 12 February. Due to a sudden death in the dog trainer's family, the date was cancelled at short notice. We will keep you updated and will send you text and pictures as soon as the meeting can take place.
Thank you for your trust and loyalty. Please stay with us.
Yours sincerely, Nik Niethammer
