Gender-Free Parenting

If you haven't heard, this Canadian couple has decided to keep the gender of their baby, Storm, a secret in order to free him or her from societal norms.
Check out this great MSN video: ‘Storm’ of controversy over gender-free parenting

Now, I get the concept and I understand the meaning behind this but, are they just being progressive for the sake of being progressive or what? Aside from the fact that their name choices (Storm's older siblings are named Jazz and Kio.) sound as if these two are more-suited for dog ownership than parenting, I feel their approach to beating societal norms may do more harm than good.

You want to teach your children that their gender does not define who they are and what they do? Great. I'm all for that. If your little boy wants to wear a dress or your daughter prefers football and trucks to dolls, so be it. Embrace and encourage this. But, we cannot ignore how our bodies are made. That's ridiculous. And would going through childhood "genderless" actually enable one to beat the stereotypes set in place by society once the child "chooses" its own gender? This is, after all, what this couple has planned for their kid. How is that any better than just saying, "We had a boy!" then allowing that boy child to be whoever or whatever he wants to be?

In order to break societal norms and change the world, we have to admit who and what we are and be proud. We have to face adversity head-on to prove to the world that we can. Black people do not have civil rights today because they once all pretended they were white.I don't shove tube socks or a sausage into the front of my pants when I go in to vote. (Easy.) We are people. All of us. If you're a closeted homosexual, get the hell out of there! There are people here who will welcome you with open arms and support you. We're fighting for you now. If you're a woman trying to make it in the corporate world, put on your damn fighting panties and get that shit done. And, if you're a man who prefers things typically classified as "ladies' stuff" then, great! You'll make a fantastic boyfriend. Who gives a shit what other people think.


Again, I understand the idea behind Kathy Witterick and David Stocker's decision, but how will they react if and when Storm grows up, chooses a gender, and disowns his/her parents for their kookiness? Bound to happen with at least one of their three offspring. Ignoring society's trivial expectations = good rebellion. Ignoring biology and anatomy= absurd.

Don't even get me started on what will happen if the kid decides its a boy then starts its period...