How do you explain the anxiety, anger and fear duron describes feeling when c. j. started playing with girl toys

American author Lori Duron and her husband, Matt, have two children, both boys. But she describes more in detail the situation of her younger son C.J because he preferred playing with girl toys instead of with boy toys.

Here we have a quotation from the writer to better understand her feelings of anxiety, anger and fear:

"Initially, the sight of our son playing with girl toys or wearing girl clothes made our chests tighten, forged a lump in our throats, and, at times, made us want to hide him. There was anger, anxiety, and fear." (Duron)

The expressions "tighten chests" and "forged a lump in our throats" define pretty clearly all the desperation and social anxiety they as parents felt for having to rise a son with different preferences to the ones imposed by society. They also felt fear, and the author expresses it clearly by saying: "at times, made us want to hide him"

I think these feelings of anxiety, anger and fear were just part of the initial surprise because they later state that:

"We've evolved as parents as our younger son has evolved into a fascinating, vibrant person who is creative with gender. Sometimes, when I think of how we behaved as parents . . . I'm ashamed and embarrassed. "

Which shows they have learn to accept their son despite social stigma.

i would need the dialogue to answer this.

in the door-way, with his head in the room and with a lantern in hand with the most slight ray of light shining from it; so small and opening it so slowly to not disturb the old mans sleep.

i have watched the play of this story last friday.