"‘Boy Or Girl?’ Parents Raising ‘Theybies’ Let Kids Decide" - Julie Compton
Parents in the U.S. are increasingly raising their children outside traditional gender norms – allowing boys and girls to play with the same toys and wear the same clothes – though experts say this is happening mostly in progressive, well-to-do enclaves. But what makes this “gender-open” style of parenting stand out, and even controversial in some circles, is that the parents do not reveal the sex of their children to anyone. Parents raising their children without designated genders aim to block these biases, allowing kids to explore and determine where they fall in their own time. John Steever, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of special programs at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, sees gender-open parenting as a way to show children that they will be accepted no matter their identity. He said this could be particularly important for transgender children, who have higher rates of depression and suicide attempts.
- John Steever, MD, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Special Programs, Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center
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