Anyone read this news article?

lp0 · May 2011

Has anyone read this article about these Canandian parents who aren't telling people if their child is a boy or girl because they want the baby to be able to choose its own gender one day. Apparently they have two boys already that they allow to dress like girls but then the boys get upset when people think they're girls. The whole situation seems crazy to me. I'm all for allowing your kids to be who they are but this seems like too much. What do you guys think?

You can read the article here

rebelina1 · May 2011

I am all about freedom of expression but that is taking things way to far in my opinion. The 5 year old is already experiencing problems and it is just going to get harder for them as they get older.

Jessiree · May 2011

This has been talked about a few times on here, I think, but what gets me about this woman is that she talks about other parents making decisions for their children. Uh, what does she think she is doing?!

I mean I absolutely think people should be allowed to raise their children as they see fit, but it kind of turns my stomach to see people treat their children in this way just to make a statement.

BostonGayGal · May 2011

The Baby X book they reference is fascinating.

I think the five year old's struggle is a very natural one (more natural than the false dual gender roles we impose upon children) and relate to it as a child who felt 'different' at a very young age. I don't agree with their educational decision of un-schooling and think that my be a big piece of the son's difficulty announcing that he is a boy in social situations.

I am more annoyed by the silly over-reaction to the story than by the story itself. I find people's preoccupation with gender roles beyond sick. The difference in how we treat babies and talk to toddlers of different genders is repulsive. Gender expression is NOT something we are automatically born into, not something that should be imposed by parents, and there is a range, not just the two. (That being said, I won't be hiding my child's sex). But their gender expression is something for them to discover, not me to force.

blane2011 · May 2011

I'm a little on the ledge about this one lol I guess I'm afraid of offending anyone, so instead of saying that first statment that came into my head when I read this I'll just say that I agree she is taking it too far and freedom of expression is great but there are things that must have a little structure or they go haywire. I hate it for these poor children but I will try to refrain myself from over talking lol

lp0 · May 2011

I agree they should allow their children to play with whatever toys they want and wear their hair however they want but it's obviously causing their older son to become upset that people think he's a girl. Perhaps they need to explain to him why it's happening and then allow him to make a decision. If they aren't educating the kid on differences between boys and girls, how can they expect him to make a decision? It's at the point where he doesn't want to go to a regular school. Not to mention that I'm sure he's already at a disadvantage since they do not even home school him and instead teach through his curiosity. I think in the attempt to make a statement they are hurting their children.

JenniferandDustin2010 · May 2011

I absolutely do not agree. I believe girls are girls and boys are boys and should dress and be treated as such. Just my two cents.

JenTorrge · May 2011

Jessiree:
This has been talked about a few times on here, I think, but what gets me about this woman is that she talks about other parents making decisions for their children. Uh, what does she think she is doing?!
I mean I absolutely think people should be allowed to raise their children as they see fit, but it kind of turns my stomach to see people treat their children in this way just to make a statement.

This! Agree totally!

califorever81 · May 2011

BostonGayGal:
I don't agree with their educational decision of un-schooling and think that my be a big piece of the son's difficulty announcing that he is a boy in social situations.

I just want to throw out here that not all unschoolers think this far "out of the box" and most of the children I have been around that are raised this way are quite "normal" (whatever that means lol) as are the parents.

That being said, I totally agree with letting children play with what and dress how they chose, the way society blatantly steers children into one roll or the other is ridiculous. I would never take it as far as these parents have, but I see what drove them there. I gave my children the freedom to be who they wanted, and I still ended up with 2 girly girls and 2 textbook boys. Whatever works for them, they are happy Smile

namara5532 · May 2011

There is a benefit of unschooling ideas, but it isn't factoring in society's reaction to it. To allow, for example, a boy to dress like a girl, I think it's required to let the child know that there will be confusion and labelling going on. I don't think a boy should be forced to wear a dress, but if it's what they want and they are willing to accept the social reactions, then they should be allowed. If they are allowed freedom in what they look like, the worst that will happen is they will give up trying to wear something abnormal to not have to put up with social pressure anymore.

As far as parents not revealing the gender of their baby, it does take away expectations as to how they should look and act. As long as the parents support the child and don't force them to cross dress, I personally support the idea.

califorever81 · May 2011

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