This Is How It Always Is

Penn and Rosie consult a spirited child psychologist named Mr. Tongo about Claude’s increasing introversion at school. Mr. Tongo congratulates the couple on raising such an interesting child. He clarifies that although he thinks it is wonderful that they are so accepting of Claude, the rest of the world will not feel the same way, and they will have to prepare Claude for this reality. Mr. Tongo instructs Penn and Rosie to log Claude’s “male” and “female” behavior. Penn is having increasing difficulty distinguishing between gendered behaviors. Penn and Rosie realize that their relationship models non-traditional gender roles. 

Penn and Rosie contend with the bureaucracy of Claude’s school regarding Claude’s gender identity. The school administrators ask Penn and Rosie to clearly define the terms of Claude’s identity. Penn and Rosie protest that Claude does not know how to define it himself. The school requests that Claude use the nurse’s bathroom instead of the boys’ or girls’ bathroom. During a New Year’s Eve date, Penn and Rosie agree that they should not aim for their children’s lives to be easy, but they should try to make sure their children are happy. “I wish them eternal beauty,” Penn maintains, “international travel, smart things to watch on TV.