Reply #116: The kid will figure it out soon

[fujiyama]

Pop will know soon what s/he consider him/herself. I think such a self definition occurs pretty early - by 5 or so, though it could be even earlier. By then, the parents better stop playing stupid games and treat Pop however s/he wants to be treated. If they keep this shit up too long, later on Pop could resent them for years later.

I just find it amusing that they are dressing the kid in overtly feminine or masculine clothing and giving the kid hair that matches preconceived gender notions. I think it would have been better simply dressing the kid in ambiguous gender clothing like a pant/shirt and kept the hair long. After all, this isn't a matter of "oh little Timmy likes to play with Barbies" or "Tammy likes Tonka Trucks". It's OK for kids to be exposed to various toys and whatnot, but they need to be raised a certain way - at least right around when they can actually communicate. Since the child is already 2 1/2, Pop should be starting to speak.

It just seems idiotic playing social experiments with a child. The cases of gender-identity confusion are not exactly common - and gender has BOTH biological and social constructs. If the child were confused about his or her gender, then of course it's something that would need to be addressed at a later age through therapy and possibly sex-reassignment surgery but such an action is drastic and should be done only at an age when the person is absolutely sure they are in the wrong body.