Canadian parents, Kathy Witterick and David Stocker, have two boys, Jazz (5) and Kio (2). They also have a baby called Storm.
Witterick and Stocker decided not tell anyone beyond the child’s two siblings (and a tiny handful of others) whether Storm is a boy or a girl. Storm’s parents describe what they’re doing as allowing the baby to grow and develop without a fixed gender. They sent an email to friends and family when Storm was born to explain their decision. The email read:
“We’ve decided not to share Storm’s sex for now — a tribute to freedom and choice in place of limitation, a stand up to what the world could become in Storm’s lifetime (a more progressive place? …).”
Also of note: The parents’ other children have been given great freedom of choice in their own development, including the freedom to choose elements of their personal appearance, as well how they want to be educated.
Apparently, this story has caused quite a stir across Canada.
But this is your Inquisition, Skepchick reader. So . . .
Would you do this with a child of yours? Do you see any real benefit? Any possible harm to the child? Is this a cruel experiment being carried out upon a defenceless baby or a reasonable attempt to undermine rigid sex role stereotypes, as the parents insist? And what of the freedom given to the older children? Should children that young be allowed to make decisions about education? Appearance?
