Gender Neutral Parenting

Gender-neutral parenting was a highly discussed topic this week. An article posted about a documentary from The New Yorker on gender-neutral parenting. The documentary follows a couple in the Bronx who are raising their child “Grey” with they/them pronouns. One of the parents state, “Really the goal here is, it’s not about me trying to force anything on Grey, it’s actually the exact opposite. And we don’t know their gender yet, and when they tell us, they’ll tell us. And it might change over time and that’s okay too.”

One article encouraged parents to buy gender-neutral toys for their children in order to avoid gender stereotypes. A report from the Fawcett Society recently came out about the harms of segregating toys by gender and gender stereotypes. The chief executive of the Fawcett Society stated, “Gender stereotypes lie at the root of problems such as limiting career choices for girls, or boys who have difficulty expressing their emotions, so what we give our children this Christmas really does matter.” The society collaborated with the “Let Toys be Toys” campaign and set up a list of gender-neutral toys that are inexpensive. Another article discussed how parents should prioritize functionality in a baby’s nursery over gender themed rooms, encouraging gender neutrality.  

In other news, dairy company “Danone” just announced their gender-neutral paid parental leave policy in which manufacturing employees are able to take off 18 weeks after the birth or adoption of their child. One article mentioned how this could encourage gender-neutral parenting and gender equity in the workplace stating, “In fact, encouraging gender-neutral policy that helps dads engage more and earlier in their children’s lives has broader and longer-term benefits, too; just one of which is that it impacts women’s income and consequently, their families’ financial security.” Meanwhile, updates to the country’s legislation allows citizens of Malta to have gender-neutral birth certificates.