This is the sort of empty, sensational, trivial news item that I usually try to ignore. It’s really nobody’s business but the parents’, who sound awfully narcissistic. Anyway, I predict that their little experiment won’t last much longer… the kid is at some point going to start asking questions.

What will they do then? Refuse to answer? Sounds like a guaranteed recipe to make the kid neurotic about gender roles, not free him/her from them!

And I’m amused by ideas like this from the Swedish gender-equality expert: “But if you give them no gender they will be seen more as a human or not a stereotype as a boy or girl.” Exactly how does having no gender make one seem like more of a human?

Like it or not, gender is part of being human. We are not asexual robots! You can debate about equality and whether or not the assigned roles are appropriate, but to deny its existence is just ideologically silly. It's no different than forcing a kid to grow up in a strict religious household, just inverted.

“Pop, you’re different than the other children… you are neither a boy or a girl, because we, your parents, decree it so. Why are you crying sweetie? Oops, I didn't mean to confine your gender role by calling you a sexist term of affection.” Ridiculous.... you can tell they have never had a child before... and most of the other people commenting here who are cheering them on.

It will not work.

Oh those horrible Northeastern, Ivy League, smug, condescending liberals. Why is Paglia so obsessed with poking them in the eye? Why does she buy into that whining right-wing victimization narrative? Why is she so unwilling to notice the obvious craziness and racism of the teabaggers? Why is she so concerned about Sarah Palin’s feelings? Why does she think the GOP represents Real America and not liberals?

This is one public-school educated, lower middle-class liberal with no media/political connections who is unimpressed by her fetishization of the right and concern trolling of the left. She flaunts her working class background as if it qualifies her to speak for some imagined “real America”. For all her contempt for the “liberal elite media”, she certainly buys into the memes it mindlessly projects.

Will someone at Salon debate her please? Her points are rarely original, interesting or smart and she needs to be called out on them.

Better yet, end her column and get someone in who can actually back up their opinions with research and facts, not just contrarian concern trolling.

He succeeded in letting me know, that my vote in Georgia shouldn't count in national elections becuase of our much smaller population and woeful Southern ignorance. He insulted my heart-felt beliefs in God that have helped me cope with good times and bad (call it a crutch if you will but it's a lot deeper than that). Amazingly, the fact that I am a white middle-aged male from the South completely disqualifies me from ever holding public office in this mind.

Yes those white middle aged southern men are so very oppressed. Those Berkley professors are just walking all over them. How very truthy of you.

Hey Camille, are you proud that you are reinforcing this guy's whining sense of victimhood?