Gender Neutral Children

The gender neutral practice described in this article comes across as very disturbing. While researchers may not yet know the long term effects this practice has on children, I believe it effects a child's mental state. This practice is likely to cause Sasha to question his identity, and will forever change who he is. The article mentions his parents are enabling their son to express himself. However, I disagree with their way of thinking. To express one-self means that someone is making their own choices. They are deciding what they want to wear and are choosing it for Sasha. In this case, Sasha's parents are forcing him to adapt to both male and female identities and express both. This is not expression. It is simply a two way street that does not merge and it is unhealthy. Another factor that makes raising a child as gender neutral unhealthy is age. Sasha is simply too young to express himself or even make these choices. 

Another disturbing aspect of this parenting is that they call him 'the infant.' This is a very disrespectful term because again, it will lead Sasha into questioning his identity. The article mentions, "gender affects what children wear and what they can play with, and that shapes the kind of person they become. I start to get cross with it if it skews their potential." However, it only skews potential if one believes that one's race is superior to one another. 

Aside from this, Sasha's peers, teachers, and other people he is associated with in his life become closed off from knowing his true identity. This affects the relationships he will come to have with people. It strips the intimacy of relationships people will have with Sasha. Overall, I think raising a child as gender neutral is grossly unhealthy. A parent should raise their child as their assigned gender. When a child reaches an age where they want to express a different identity or gender, parents should then let them become who they want to be. This is much healthier and will cause less problems for a child in the long run.