Here is a quote from Melissa Atkins Wardy as seen on Upworthy.com, "There is no 'boy side' or 'girl side' to childhood," she told Upworthy, noting gender stereotypes can hinder a child's development by limiting their experiences. "Why would we tell a kid they can't like cars or pirates or fairies or pink? . . ."
There is most definitely a "boy side" or "girl side" to childhood. I would never want my male child or grandchild to have any confusion about his sex (operative words, "sex" and "he"). It would be no big deal to me if he liked the color pink, or green for that matter.
I would never want my female child or grandchild to have any confusion about her sex (operative words, "sex" and "she"). Incidentally my granddaughters less than six years old do like to play with the toy cars. My older granddaughters actually drive real cars.
Physical hermaphrodites are extremely rare. They are the only ones where the "girl side" or "boy side" issue may be confusing.
Most children are either MALE or FEMALE. There is actually no shame in identifying yourself, or your child, as a MALE or FEMALE. Nearly all adults and children know the difference.
There is really no need to be afraid to tell a girl she is a girl, or a boy that he is a boy.
