Raising children to become gender-neutral has become a trend in parenting. Moms and dads are buying genderless toys or decorating the kids' rooms in neutral colors of yellow, green and gray so that there's no definitive line between male or female.
These parents also delay the introduction of the differences between boys and girls to their young children. They believe that kids will come to this idea on their own and in the right time.
But a neuroscientist said that gender-neutral parenting is a pointless effort. In an article on Los Angeles Times, Deborah Soh pointed out that there is a "scientific reality" to consider.
Soh said that gender comes with "predetermined characteristics" as determined by biology. This means that the brains of boys and girls show marked differences from the very beginning, which cannot be influenced by social constructions.
She cited studies that indicate how, despite parents raising their young in a gender-neutral environment, the children's biological makeup will still draw them to have stereotypical male or female behaviors. For instance, when giving kids pots and pans for toys, the boys will play with these like cars and the girls will use these to play house even without prodding.
Soh also said that perhaps what would be more important is for parents to acknowledge that gender difference does exist. But it's also vital to let children know that no gender is superior over the other or to stress on gender equality than gender neutrality.
I don't disagree but we don't need to teach kids or pretend there are no biological sex differences in order to support equality https://t.co/3DpiFf6LzZ
— Debra W. Soh (@debra_soh) January 7, 2017
The Libertian Republic agrees with Soh's point of view and cites that forcing children to be gender-neutral could be more harmful to their development, especially if biology cannot be manipulated. Some children could end up becoming confused because they are misguided.
But some disagree on these points. "What's futile is trying to maintain, after 100 years of disproof, that you can seriously maintain that things like this are 'either' genetic 'or' nurture," one commenter said on the Los Angeles Times Facebook page. "The point is to allow these children the opportunity to decide for themselves what activities interest them," another commenter pointed out in the discussion.
Where do you stand on gender-neutral parenting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
