Very astute observation. It's a modern variation of Munchausen-by-proxy. Parents get lauded for being brave heroes for letting their children be true to themselves.
There's nothing abnormal about a girl who likes to play rough or cut her hair short and there is nothing wrong with a boy who likes art and quiet games. But those are actions that do not define one's sex.
Sex is immutable. Gender, which used to refer to language, is not sex. I wish conservatives would stop using the term gender altogether as it distorts reality and plays right into the progressive game plan.
I agree, unless they happen to be discussing linguistics.
If a person is pretending to be a person of the opposite sex, we have terms for that. If it's a job, he's "acting." If he or she really believes it, he or she is "nuts." If they're children, they are "pretending."