Name: Chu Chee Yin

Student ID: 23068182

Name: Shanise Ng Huei Ting

Student ID: 23106990

Name: Yong Jo Yi

Student ID: 23102452

Name: Sakamoto Hinata

Student ID: 23058399

Programme: BSc in Psychology

Course Code: Eng 1034

Course Name: English For Psychology

Assignment: Position Paper

Weightage: 50%

Instructor: Ms. Susila Madasamy

Introduction

Gender neutral parenting is a parental practice that provides children the free will to decide on

their gender and identity without being forced to abide by gender norms. This approach utilizes

neutral pronouns of genders, allows the freedom to access all types of toys, clothes and personal

aesthetics without the influence of gender stereotypes. It is a common fact that parents play an

impactful role in shaping a child's understanding of the world, how they think, act and feel as

well as shaping their identity. Rather than saying it is a gender identity, it is more appropriate to

assume that it is a process of a child's self-expression before they are assigned any gender.

Martin and Ruble (2010) state that the majority of parents begin having gender stereotypical

expectations on their child as early as 24 hours after their birth, which results in parents behaving

and setting examples differently based on the child’s gender. These expectations can include

buying toy cars for boys and dolls for girls or engaging boys in sports and girls in art. With this,

it can be assumed that gender neutral parenting is positively influential to the younger generation

of parents that are today. Thus, gender neutral parenting can be beneficial because it fosters

gender equality, fosters inclusivity and acceptance as well as expands career options for children.

Argument 1

Gender neutral parenting empowers children to independently discover their own unique gender

identity, unconstrained by gender stereotypes, cultural or societal expectations. The increase of

gender-neutral parenting accepting any self-assigned gendered child, providing a child with more

comfort accepting self-individuality and their own sexuality. According to GLAAD (2017),

Millennials (those aged 18-34) are substantially more likely than prior generations to openly

identify as LGBTQ. An earlier understanding towards a children’s sexual orientation can be

obtained from gender neutral parenting styles. Childhood gender nonconformity was negatively

connected with adult homosexuality by many parents and parenting experts during the 1990’s

encouraging gender-based plays (Martin, 2005). Therefore, those who identified themselves

“lesbian” or “gay” were a significantly lower generation amongst those who were born before

the Millennials. In fact, many gender biases come from a parent’s language when raising a child.

By avoiding the term “sex” and instead using a more precise term such as “genitals”, “anatomy”

to describe a person’s body without using binary nor gendered vocabularies. Parents

emphasizing on the importance of considering intersex individuals alongside of transgendered

persons highlights the falsehoods and harms of assigned sex categories (Rahilly, 2022). Using a

binary terms function as such using, they/them or using rotating pronouns as a temporary marker

to enjoy their own identity development in non-stereotypical ways. By engaging these practices,

parents and children can develop an understanding of the limitations imposed by gender binary

being the constraining set of beliefs (Rahilly, 2015). This approach gives no shame or guilt faced

by the child to perpetuate any gender stereotypes. Rather than being designated to a certain

gender, as well as focusing on how similar people still are instead of focusing on the differences.

People’s identity may change over time, and it is important to teach children to not be ashamed

of it. Gender neutral parenting can help deconstruct the stereotypes of sexual identity created by

environmental factors. Rather than assigning the children based on their biological sex but

instead, not assigning anything but instead appreciating their own unique individual identities.

Argument 2

Gender-neutral parenting can foster gender equality by fostering inclusivity in individuals by

actively promoting acceptance, empowering individuals to authentically embracing diverse

interests and capabilities. Gender-neutral parenting challenges traditional stereotypes,

encouraging children to explore diverse interests without predefined gender roles. The societal

bias against gender diverse youth individuals is the root cause alarmingly elevated of suicide

rates for children and requires attention (Mora & ICGC-I, 2019). The previous study conducted

by Fantinelli et al. (2023) has emphasizes the imperative of cultivating an inclusive and

supportive environment for children through gender-neutral parenting principles, not only

liberates children to explore a diverse array of interests but actively challenges the limitations

imposed by traditional gender stereotypes but to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse

perspective on gender roles which cultivates a foundation for a more egalitarian society by

breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of equality from an early age. Gender-neutral

parenting emerges as a powerful solution, challenging existing gender norms and biases that

offer a strategic solution to break away from traditional norms and provides children with the

freedom to explore their interests without predefined gender expectations (Martinez, 2022). By

fostering positive self-images through this approach, children are not only equipped to navigate a

broader spectrum of career choices but also develop a resilience that stems from the authentic

alignment of their choices with their individual capabilities and passions. This approach is

crucial in creating a generation that views gender as a spectrum rather than a rigid binary.

Riskind & Tornello (2022) also argued the importance of cultivating an environment that

champions authentic self-expression, as it allows children to select toys, clothing, and activities

based on personal preference, breaking away from rigid gender expectations. Parenting style

offers a unique avenue to cultivate a generation with entirely new perspectives on gender,

envisioning a reality where the gender structure is viewed as equal and diverse. Hence, by

promoting gender-neutral parenting, families contribute to creating a more inclusive and gender
equal society, allowing children to explore their potential, breaking down traditional gender

roles, creating a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere, enabling others to learn from this

culture.

Argument 3

Gender neutral parenting can expand a child’s career choices by preventing limitations based on

gender. This parenting style challenges the stereotypical mindset of believing that certain

professions or career paths are better fitted for one gender than the other. Thus, unlike parenting

based on gender norms, gender neutral parenting does not limit a child’s potential to their

gender, but instead encourages them to consider a broader range of career options outside the

expectations of gender stereotypes. Nadeem and Khalid (2018) notes that as professions are

segregated by gender in India, women would rather stay in positions that are inferior to men in a

male dominated industry because they fear being seen as having behavior deemed as gender-

deviant, which are disdained by society. By drawing on this claim, it can be analyzed that

children who grew up with gender neutral parenting will be unaffected by society’s stereotypical

views as they are taught to embrace open-mindedness and individuality. As children from gender

neutral parenting backgrounds have a flexible outlook on gender roles, they are more resilient in

considering career options outside of gender norms and focusing on personal interest and

capability alone. Mim (2019) states that the low number of women in STEM is contributed by

the factor of which boys and girls are educated to exercise gender stereotypical behavior

involving the idea of women should be in service roles while men in dominant and masculine

roles. This can be avoided by gender neutral parenting, where gender roles and gender
stereotypical mindsets are taught to be insignificant. Moreover, it was also reported that teachers

with gender stereotypical behaviors can negatively impact female students’ perception on

science, resulting in a low number of females entering STEM (Mim,2019). Hence, with a gender

neutral learning environment, whether at educational institutions or at home, children are getting

appropriate support to chase their interest and dreams without the limitations of gendered

expectations. Agreeing with an argument made by Kabeer (2005), Mim (2019) further argues

that lack of empowerment from surroundings as well as adequate role models, plays an important

factor in why women are underrepresented in STEM. Therefore, gender neutral parenting is able

to expand a child’s career options outside of gender norms.

Counter-argument 1

Raising children with gender-neutral parenting style may cause the child more harm than good

due to bullying. This is because gender-neutral parenting is a style where children are raised

differently from traditional parenting styles. This is a valid point considering that bullying has

negative consequences such as any form of health-harming behaviors towards victims

themselves. However, such issues can be lessened or prevented entirely if more schools were to

use intervention and prevention programmes to teach children on how to deal and cope with

bullying early on during their school years. According to McDaniel. et al (2022) and Waasdorp.

et al (2012), the use of the SWPBIS, which stands for School-wide Positive Behavioral

Interventions and Supports, has a positive effect on children. It is a program strategically created

to reduce negative behaviors and to bring improvement and better change to the school climate.

The study from Waasdorp. et al (2012) was conducted in an elementary school where the results

were positively effective when compared to schools without any program of intervention and
prevention, they also state that though many schools have agreed to the zero-tolerance policies

such as the act of expelling students from school, it was deemed unsuccessful. Another study

done by McDaniel. et al (2022) claims that it is most effective if the SWPBIS program is taught

in middle school age groups which are 11 years old to 13 years old as children younger than that

are not able to grasp the concept of bullying thoroughly. Other than adding intervention and

prevention programmes to schools, parents of all children must also be involved in their childs’

life. In this study from Sîrbu & Bacter (2021), they did not use any programs of intervention and

prevention such as the SWPBIS, even so, they found solutions to help lessen bullying or to help

victims cope. They believe that parents should be providing emotional support for their children,

any professional help if needed, for example, counseling sessions with a therapist, and to address

the issue directly with the victim and/or with the perpetrator. In any case, an intervention and

prevention program, and the parents’ attention are very much needed to help with lessening and

stopping the act of bullying.

Counter-argument 2

Gender neutral parenting implemented in early childhood might affect the children’s awareness

of basic gender differences and may have confusion about their own gender. It is because of the

gender-neutral environment created for the child and their parents refusing to admit the gender

they currently have, children might not have the opportunity to explore with early sex education.

In contrast, Sex education has been advocated in gender neutral parenting by parents, school

programmes and social media. Youth have indicated that parents play an important role during

the puberty period of youth, they as the first teacher to educate their child about the sex

education by teaching them to use contraception and the knowledge about sexually transmitted
infection (Guilamo-Ramos et al., 2020). In addition, the parent in gender neutral parenting

believed that children’s gender identity will gradually develop in time by Rahilly (2022); Riskind

and Tornello (2022).According to the research by Riskind and Tornello (2022) acknowledged

that gender expression will be influenced by various aspects such as ages, innate gender and

parent’s gender identity. For those children whose parents are non-binary will tend to express

their gender without the restriction by tradition, they try out a variety of gender-bound activities

enthusiastically to break down the gender stereotype. In addition, understanding how difficult it

is if the children are not supported to be themselves, it will lead to gender nonconformity as they

are confused and affects their well-being in a way of distressing their mental health (Rieger &

Savin-Williams, 2011). Therefore, gender neutral parenting allows children to develop their

personalities in a non-bias environment that will prevent any mental issues and gender dysphoria,

as well as preventing the occurrence of gender-bias society by allowing the next generation to

practice having a respective behavior.

Conclusion

Gender-neutral parenting style may do great for some children or the complete opposite as every

child is different from one another, therefore, gender-neutral parenting style can be described as

more of an experiment in families rather than a stable parenting style yet. Additionally, the

environment that the child is in also plays a huge role for the success or failure of the gender-

neutral parenting style. Gender neutral parenting will advocate gender equality, inclusivity and

acceptance , and improve employment opportunities across the board without gender stereotypes.

Although children may be bullied and get confused about their factual gender, it can be solved

by schools adding in an intervention and prevention programme along with parents’ attentiveness
to their children and a modernization of family education, the thought of confusion will be

resolved as the time passes. In summary, gender neutral parenting can benefit the society, well-

being, and boosts the aptitude of the population in many aspects as it provides a much more

positive outcome. Gender neutral parenting style will also be a much more common practice in

the future as well as an enlightening insight to many new families.

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