Gender Neutral Children

From the moment a child is born, parents have to make endless amounts of decisions about raising the child. Many of these decisions are associated with the child's gender. When decorating the child's bedroom, dressing him or her, and even buying them toys and accessories, most parents consider whether the child is a boy or a girl. Aisles of infant and children stores are filled with clothing, toys, etc. covered in pale pink and light blue as a way to decipher gender. Most parents make the decision to raise their child with regard to traditional gender norms. Others, like Beck Laxton and Kieran Cooper choose a different direction by raising their child gender neutral.

The DailyMail published an article on a British couple that refused to reveal their child's gender for five years. Laxton and Cooper had a son, Sasha, who they wanted to raise gender neutral. They did this by concealing his gender, dressing him in clothes for both boys and girls, and decorating his room using a gender neutral color, yellow. This was not as easy as it sounds, and it has become more difficult for them to continue raising Sasha like this since he has started school. Attending school exposes children to peers who may be raised completely differently. Sasha's parents stated that he has not been judged for his clothing choices or toys. His parents let him make his own choices on what he wants to wear or play with. 

Raising children like Sasha is beneficial because the child becomes more independent and adopts his or her own gender identity rather than learning one. However, not all agree with this method of parenting.The article also presents an opposing opinion to this gender neutral idea. Dr. Harold Koplewicz, a psychiatrist from the US disagreed with the idea of raising children gender neutral. He explained that children are not born with a "blank slate" and their brains do work and develop differently depending on gender. He used examples of activity and language development to support his statements.

Whether or not parents choose to raise their children as gender neutral or make the decision to follow certain gender norms, the most positive parenting includes accepting children and the decisions they make. Although it is nearly impossible for infants to make basic decisions on their own, as they grow up they begin developing their interests, personality, and overall identity. Parents can aid in this process by being supportive and accepting of their children's choises.