The Daily Mail’s Melanie Phillips stops just short of accusing the parents of Sasha Laxton of child abuse for attempting a “gender neutral” upbringing – claiming both that gender difference is innate and pre-given, and that a lack of clear labelling from parents will leave a child dangerously confused and open to psychological injury.
The fact that Sasha Laxton seems completely happy (having been allowed to do what he wants, regardless of gender norms) is apparently irrelevant. The existence of children, young people and adults who have had utterly miserable lives because of their unwillingness – or simple inability – to fulfil gender norms is also ignored. The idea that girls are “gentle” and boys are “adventurous” is presented as naturalised fact.
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