Keeping babies gender a secret

[HippyMama]

I loved the original article with the full interview with the family in question. I love what they are doing and can totally understand their feelings and motivations for doing it. What I don't love, and struggle to understand, is some of the responses to it across a variety of forums and other media! The narrow mindedness is simply astounding. To me it's like, are people not aware of transgender issues these days? And do they not see that the family is not planning to keep it a "secret" forever? As I understand it, Storm will be the one to choose once Storm is ready. That could be when s/he is 2,3,4 or 5.

I think a lot of it comes from the basic and longstanding premise that something people don't understand = fear, and fear often results in anger and insensitivity.

At the end of the day, if the child is happy, healthy, and loved, WHO CARES whether s/he has a penis or vagina or feels like s/he wants to wear red / pink / purple??

*rant over*

[AislinCarys]

I found this posted on another forum in a similar discussion:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-a ... nt-to-hell

(At least the host makes fun of the people who say the parents are abusing the kid by letting him paint his nails pink!)

[3lilbirds]

I particulary like that older boys quote " help boys do girls things, help girls do boy things, let your kid be whoever they are " .

To me that quote just indicates how pervasive the gender stereotypes are - even in a family that is obviously working very hard to combat these stereotypes, the child still refers to things as either girl's or boy's things, rather than seeing everything as everyone's things IYGWIM.

TBH I don't agree with what they're doing, but I do think their intention is good. I believe there are innate differences between males and females and our gender is part of who we are. I don't feel it is healthy for a child to feel their gender is hidden or a secret, and although I understand this is not their intention I do think a child could get this impression. In saying that I have no problem with my children playing with any toys, or wearing any clothes, and I tend to think most parents are open to this these days.

[Nic9]

I quite like the idea. I've always been big on letting dd choose what she wants to wear and play with (within reason of course). I don't think I'd be able to do it - I'd slip up somewhere! But I don't think it's a bad idea.

[Dani B]

It would also mean you couldn't give a gender specific name which is where i would probably fall short on making this kind of decision, well this kind of decision with the full support of my husband who only endorses "traditional" names