Charlize Theron Confirms That Her Oldest Child Jackson Is A Girl, ‘Not A Boy’

Not every child is privileged to have a parent in their life who loves and cares deeply for them, shaping them into good, contributing members of society. However, for those who do, they are brought up by their parents in a variety of ways. While there is no definitive way to raise your child, there are some things that parents can do to ensure that their offspring have a happy and meaningful childhood. Charlize Theron knew this very well and gave her adopted children the freedom to be whoever they wanted. But not even the Hollywood star could predict how things would turn out for her oldest child, Jackson… 

When you are one of the most iconic stars in Hollywood, the media is going to hang a magnifying glass over everything you do.

This Week in History (8/16- 8/22)

Although Charlize Theron has done a good job of keeping her family out of the public eye, this hasn’t stopped the outside world fueling intense speculation about her oldest child, Jackson. After everything this family has been through, it seems like Theron has finally put the rumors to bed, once and for all…

 

While it’s unclear exactly why Charlize Theron decided to adopt, she opened up about the idea around the time she brought Jackson into her life.

“My mother found a letter that I wrote when I was 8 years old that said, ‘Would you please take me to an orphanage, so that I can go and adopt a baby?’” she said. As far as Theron is concerned, the fact that her children wouldn’t necessarily be her biological ones didn’t matter, she loved them all the same.

 

Another huge factor that has contributed to Charlize Theron’s role as a parent is the fact that she didn’t end up having someone in her life that she could give to Jackson and August as a father figure.

After a decade-long relationship with actor Stuart Townsend, they ultimately decided to part ways. Theron was also engaged to Sean Penn in recent years, but alas, that relationship also wasn’t meant to be. All the signs pointed to an unorthodox style of parenting…

 

Truth be told, things haven’t transpired exactly how Charlize Theron had planned, especially when it comes to her role as a mother. “I don’t think any mother aims to be a single mom,” she said.

“I didn’t wish for that, but it happened. It unfolded the way it’s supposed to unfold.” However, there is a silver lining to this cloud. Without having another parent to make compromises with, it seems like Theron has been able to do things her way…

 

In light of her rocky personal life, Charlize Theron decided that she was ready to become a parent. In 2012, after a two-year process, she adopted a baby boy by the name of Jackson, who was born in the U.S.

Theron recalled the moment she brought Jackson home with her and her two dogs were overwhelmed with joy. “From the moment this baby came into our home, those two dogs have never been more in love,” Theron revealed. Soon enough though, there was another…

 

Just a couple of months after breaking up with Sean Penn, Charlize Theron decided that she wanted to adopt once again. In 2015, the actress was able to take custody of a three-year-old girl called August.

She was delighted to be able to give her little boy a sister and although some deemed the move as a reactionary decision, others praised Theron for giving her a home. However, there is no denying that Jackson is the child who is at the center of this particular story…

 

Charlize Theron was more than happy to bring her mother Gerda on board, who acted as something of a co-parent during this new chapter of her life. Bringing up Jackson as a single mother was one thing, but once August was in the fold, she called upon her mom to help out.

“There’s nothing about our relationship that isn’t co-parenting,” Theron said. “I have absolutely no shame in that, and my children, their lives are only going to be enriched because of it.”

 

Charlize Theron’s own childhood undoubtedly had a huge impact on the way she would approach her own responsibility as a parent. Sadly, young Charlize’s mother Gerda was put in a terrifying situation where she’d have to protect her from her own father, Charles Theron.

In the end, the mother and daughter came out of the confrontation relatively unscathed. However, this defining moment in Theron’s life, albeit a tragic one, helped her value the importance of protecting her own children.

 

During their first three years together, Charlize Theron’s ultimate goal was to provide for Jackson and give him the best upbringing imaginable. As far as she was concerned, she just wanted to be as good a mother to her son as her mother was to her.

“I can only hope to be 10 percent of the mom mine was to me,” she said. “She encouraged me to be confident and enjoy life. That’s what I want for my son.” However, things changed…

 

While Charlize Theron has always been active through social media and maintained a vocal relationship with her fans, she has made sure to keep her children out of the spotlight.

There are photos out there of the actress with her kids. However, you will rarely find selfies of her with Jackson and August on her Instagram account. With time, it began to become crystal clear exactly why Theron chose to protect her children from the outside world…

 

While Charlize Theron hasn’t explicitly said that she wouldn’t be interested in having any more kids, there is no indicator that she will anytime soon.

Unlike Angelina Jolie, who ended up having triple the number of kids (most of them being adopted too), Theron is a bit more conservative, having adopted two over the last decade. This should take nothing away from how deeply she loves Jackson and August and she has a unique philosophy as a mother…

 

Many parents want their children to adopt the same beliefs that they have grown up with. However, others are determined not to impose their lifestyle on their offspring.

Charlize Theron is more in line with the latter, aiming to support her kids while giving them the freedom to choose their identity. “They were born who they are,” she said. “Both of them get to find themselves as they grow up, and who they want to be, is not for me to decide.”

 

In previous interviews, Charlize Theron has specified what she believes her job is as a parent. “To celebrate them and to love them and to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be what they want to be,” she said.

“And I will do everything in my power for my kids to have that right and to be protected within that.” However, Theron has admitted that this liberal way of thinking hasn’t always gone in her favor…

 

While Charlize Theron has given her children as much freedom as possible to be who they want to be, she admits that this isn’t always the best way. “Prior to last year, it was a more agreeable house,” she said.

“It was easier to agree on what we were going to do as a family.” The actress confesses that her laidback approach as a parent has taken its toll on her at times. However, she does believe that it will benefit everyone in the long run…

 

In more recent times, rumors have started to spread about the nature of Jackson Theron’s identity and whether or not his mother’s parenting approach has affected him, for better or for worse.

Every celebrity family has a chance of becoming the subject of intense speculation in the media and beyond. As previously mentioned, the actress has tried very hard to protect her kids from the paparazzi. However, the photos have only raised more questions about her child…

 

Over the last couple of years, paparazzi have spotted Charlize Theron in public with her children and without haste, these photos have surfaced online, showing some very telling things about the actress’s child, Jackson.

Many images have surfaced online and in the press of Jackson Theron wearing skirts and dresses, and growing out his hair. While many have speculated that the child now self-identifies as a girl, it seems like Charlize Theron has finally ended the rumors, once and for all…

 

After so many rumors and speculation surrounding the gender of Jackson Theron, mother Charlize finally confirmed that the child she once thought was a boy is actually a girl.

During the first three years of her life, Jackson showed all the signs of the boy and at the very least, looked like one. However, as soon as she turned three, she turned around and told her mother that she was in fact, female. However, if you think Charlize Theron had this all planned out, then think again…

 

While Charlize Theron has reiterated in the past that she has always wanted her kids to choose their own paths and identities, she never anticipated one of them to become the complete opposite of what she thought they were.

“Yes, I thought she was a boy, too,” she said in an interview with The Daily Mail. “Until she looked at me when she was 3 years old and said: ‘I am not a boy!’” Was Theron able to accept this huge news?

 

While the news might generate a variety of responses from the outside world, Charlize Theron is 100% supportive of Jackson. Recent photos showed the actress with Jackson as they walked out of a parking lot and then she softly embraced her child while kissing her on the forehead.

And if this wasn’t enough of an indicator that she loves her children no matter what, Theron has since gone on the record and elaborated on why she is supportive of her second daughter…

 

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Charlize Theron didn’t just confirm that she will support her children no matter how they identify themselves. She went one step further than that, referring to Jackson and August as her two daughters.

“I have two beautiful daughters [Jackson and August, 3] who, just like any parent, I want to protect and I want to see thrive,” she said. The remarkable story comes at a time when identity has never been debated about more fervently…

 

Jackson Theron’s story comes at a time when trans people are becoming more accepted and scrutinized, in equal measures. “Diverse gender identities are more prevalent than people would expect,” researcher Nic Rider said.

“With growing trans visibility in the United States, some youth might find it safer to come out and talk about gender exploration.” A similar story in the celebrity world recently surfaced regarding Angelina Jolie and her child Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. Unsurprisingly, Theron’s story has received a variety of reactions…

 

Charlize Theron has been overwhelmed by the positivity that many fans have given her in light of the news. “Is Charlize Theron doing the right thing? Absolutely! Brilliant parenting,” India Willoughby wrote on Twitter.

“Listen to your kids. Don’t force them to be someone they are not. She’s probably going to get stick, but in my book this sets a WONDERFUL example.” Despite her kind words, Willoughby was right in more ways than she had hoped for…

 

While many have taken to social media to express support for Charlize Theron and Jackson, others have been more critical of the entire story, claiming that three-year-olds shouldn’t be able to make these sort of decisions.

As a result, many have criticized the actress for allowing her children so much freedom to choose their identity at such an early age. Despite these polarizing reactions, the Therons seem to have made their own decision on the matter…

 

Seeing that Jackson is now seven years of age, this means that she has had the majority of her life to self-identify as a girl. Whatever you might think, there is something to say for autonomy as a child.

As Charlize, Jackson, and August Theron venture into the unknown, the fact that they are a happy family at this moment in time bodes well for the future. Whatever challenges come their way, the actress is confident that they will be ready and become stronger because of it.

 

One of the biggest questions surrounding Charlize Theron’s current situation is whether or not she will ever be ready to bring a man into her life that her children can call “Dad.”

As you can see, just because the actress’s dating life is not what it once was, that is completely her choice. Charlize Theron still has plenty of camaraderie with men, especially on the set of her latest film Long Shot with comedian/actor Seth Rogen.

 

As of now, it appears that Charlize Theron is more than happy to fulfill both roles for Jackson and August. Over the last decade, with help from her own mother, the actress has managed to give her children everything that two loving parents could give.

In many ways, she is two parents for the price of one. However, if someone comes along who is supportive of the way she is raising her kids, then she will be delighted to move onto that next chapter.

 

While Charlize Theron has previously been coy about reigniting her dating life while raising her kids, she recently confirmed that she was, in fact, ready to get back out there.

“I’ve been single for 10 years, it’s not a long shot,” she said. “Somebody just needs to grow a pair and step up. I’m shockingly available.” During the premiere of the movie Long Shot, even co-star Seth Rogen confirmed that she was ready to date again. “[She’s] out there,” he said.

 

While the identity of Jackson has been a huge piece of news for her to break to the public, this hasn’t stop Charlize Theron from continuing to enjoy her life.

She’s also staying extremely busy, as far as her professional life is concerned. She recently starred in the romantic comedy Long Shot and since 2017, the actress has been an executive producer of the critically acclaimed Netflix series Mindhunter. Her next feature film, Fair and Balanced is scheduled to be released in December 2019.