Just for Dads
<p><b>What is gender neutral parenting?</b></p>
<p>Gender neutral parenting is a new approach to parenting that can take many forms. For some, this is a controversial approach to raising children.</p>
<p><br />In a world where we’re boxed in and forced to conform to societal norms, gender neutral parenting is when you raise a child without forcing any preconceived gender norms upon them.</p>
<p><br />This provides the child space to choose what they would rather adopt for the rest of their lives.</p>
<p><br />Often, there’s a set distinction between boys and girls by the toys they play with, colours associated with gender and how they should dress.</p>
<p><br />Gender neutral parenting breaks these stereotypes and advocates for good skills and traits for all humans to grow up with regardless of gender. More so, allowing children to make their own decisions on who they want to be.</p>
<p><br />Does this sound like something you’d like to explore with your children? Let’s weigh the pros and cons of raising a gender neutral child.</p>
<p><br /><b>Pros</b><br />• This type of parenting encourages creativity, freedom of expression and choice.<br />• Children who get to choose between “boy” and “girl” toys regardless of their gender, can expand their insights and interests.<br />• Children can have more interests and hobbies.<br />• Your child will become familiar with the interests of the opposite gender.<br />• Gender neutral parenting can help your child’s awareness of identity and self-esteem.<br />• Freedom of expression boosts confidence.<br />• Gender neutral children are more likely to be advocates of gender equality, both in school and in their cultures.<br />• Gender neutral kids grow up with the ability to stay away from bias or stereotype in any situation.</p>
<p><br /><b>Cons</b><br />• There’s no way of avoiding gender in your child’s future because of society, so exposure early on will help them decide who they are and what they want to be. If a child is raised without the concept of gender, they may be confused about their identity in social settings.<br />• It may be challenging for parents to avoid all gender-specific pronouns at home like him, her, she, or he.<br />• Be careful not to push gender neutral parenting onto your child. If a boy likes only blue and sports, that's okay. Similarly, if your girl likes pink and princesses, that’s okay, too.</p>
<p><br /><b>Takeaway</b> <br />At the end of the day, creating a happy home and environment where your child can thrive can help create a healthy worldview that doesn’t allow societal expectations to dictate who your child can be. Every child deserves to be accepted for who they are.</p>
