Cross-dressing harms children

Sir, - The manic march towards the dissolution of all sex differences continues.

Gender dysphoria can be a debilitating and overwhelming mental health problem.

Almost all parents aim to help their children grow into their biological gender identity.

Whatever their personality and interests, a secure sense of being of their actual sex is a foundation for emotional well-being.

Sex-specific clothing is one means of inculcating a healthy sense of gender.

John Lewis now seeks to undermine this. Its decision to label dresses as for boys or girls might play well to fashionable gender ideologues, but will undermine parents and potentially harm children.

Sooner or later a boy in John Lewis is going to ask for a dress. Mum might say that dresses are really for girls. Boy will argue back that John Lewis evidently disagrees, and therefore, feel aggrieved at mum’s stance. Instead of forgetting about it, the boy may then determine to persevere in his curiosity. Cross dressing is not a good road for children to go down.

Can the decisionmakers at John Lewis confirm that they would be perfectly happy if their young sons decided to wear a dress? I doubt it very much. Richard Lucas. Scottish Family Party, 272 Bath Street, Glasgow.