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How will this work then?

(116 Posts)
NanaandGrampy Sun 16-Oct-16 15:29:36

www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/910667/russell-brand-admits-he-wants-to-bring-up-first-child-without-a-gender

Russell Grant has said he is considering bringing up his new baby without imposing a gender .

I personally have never heard such rubbish in my life but maybe I'm the one out of step?

This is way beyond not offering gender specific clothes or toys - what are your thoughts ?

Zorro21 Mon 17-Oct-16 11:11:46

I think he was just trying to get publicity for himself. He is an absolute crackpot,and I too feel sorry for any child of his, but I expect he has loads of money and it will get very spoilt.

Helena1 Mon 17-Oct-16 11:12:35

Russell Brand is a total prat!!!!!

Balini Mon 17-Oct-16 11:14:14

I'm not surprised at anything Russell Brand does. He's an utter moron and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children, The mother to be, can't be too bright either, if she goes to bed with someone like him.

Zorro21 Mon 17-Oct-16 11:14:40

Incidentally, I get so fed up with reading about these idiots, such as Steph (who was in the Big Brother House)in the newspapers. It's so boring and these celebrities are so ghastly.

Battersea1971 Mon 17-Oct-16 11:15:01

I dont think you should take russell brand too seriously. He is an oddball and a windup merchant. I'm not sure who the mother of this child is, I suppose a lot depends on her. He never seems to stay with anyone for long.

foxie Mon 17-Oct-16 11:15:58

young children don't know whether they are male or female until about the age of 8 so what's the problem. That man, if I may call him that loosely, if a fool of the highest order and who in the right mind takes notice when he pontificates.

Ana Mon 17-Oct-16 11:19:09

I think they know long before the age of 8!

Jalima Mon 17-Oct-16 11:20:40

He's been out of the news recently, he had to do something to get himself noticed again.

Lindajane Mon 17-Oct-16 11:22:27

I quite like the idea I must admit, although it may be difficult. I think many people (and I include myself here) are happy to dress girls in 'boys' clothes they may be more reluctant to dress boys in 'girls' clothes. It's also been shown that as a general rule, people let young boys do riskier and rougher play than girls. There was a really good programme on it on BBC a few years ago.
However as children get older it's different. But the more I think about it the more I like the idea of not telling people your baby's gender.
My daughter has twins and she doesn't tell anyone which is born first, and I can't remember.

Nelliemaggs Mon 17-Oct-16 11:24:16

It was a lot easier 40 years ago when I had my babies not to dress them, amuse them etc, in a gender specific way. Long before the arrival of pink everything for girls, I made my children's clothes and my girls as well as my son were usually in practical dungarees or shorts made with any material I had, dark brown, grey, whatever. Most toys were of the construction type and since I was the one who did the DIY in our home they didn't grow up thinking that Dad wields the hammer and screwdriver while Mum cooks and cleans. In fact they thought correctly that Mum did everything but that's a whole other story. It was at nursery school that they discovered that boys and girls were expected to behave quite differently and I guess Russell Brand is going to need to home-school his child if he wants to avoid that happening,
My first grandson who spent 30 hours a week with me was obsessed with cars and had one in his hand at all times. I put every other possible entertainment in front of him but he stuck fast to his cars. Then I hauled our ancient dolls house and furniture down from the loft. He set about placing the furniture and feeling pleased with myself I went to prepare his lunch. All was quiet and when I went to check on him I found a car lovingly placed on every chair and in every bed.
My youngest grandson who I now look after carries a soft toy with him everywhere and has no interest in our huge accumulation of vehicles.
RB will learn soon enough that children are who they are and try as he will he won't be able to change that.

Nelliemaggs Mon 17-Oct-16 11:28:24

It was a lot easier 40 years ago when I had my babies not to dress them, amuse them etc, in a gender specific way. Long before the arrival of pink everything for girls, I made my children's clothes and my girls as well as my son were usually in practical dungarees or shorts made with any material I had, dark brown, grey, whatever. Most toys were of the construction type and since I was the one who did the DIY in our home they didn't grow up thinking that Dad wields the hammer and screwdriver while Mum cooks and cleans. In fact they thought correctly that Mum did everything but that's a whole other story. It was at nursery school that they discovered that boys and girls were expected to behave quite differently and I guess Russell Brand is going to need to home-school his child if he wants to avoid that happening,
My first grandson who spent 30 hours a week with me was obsessed with cars and had one in his hand at all times. I put every other possible entertainment in front of him but he stuck fast to his cars. Then I hauled our ancient dolls house and furniture down from the loft. He set about placing the furniture and feeling pleased with myself I went to prepare his lunch. All was quiet and when I went to check on him I found a car lovingly placed on every chair and in every bed.
My youngest grandson who I now look after carries a soft toy with him everywhere and has no interest in our huge accumulation of vehicles.
RB will learn soon enough that children are who they are and try as he will he won't be able to change that.

muswellblue Mon 17-Oct-16 11:29:33

Child abuse in my opinion.

Nelliemaggs Mon 17-Oct-16 11:30:11

Sorry about doubling up. As always I don't know quite how I did that and I can't see a way to delete one of themsad

Rosina Mon 17-Oct-16 11:33:14

Russel Brand. Enough said. ANYTHING to get attention.

Blinko Mon 17-Oct-16 11:40:47

Before our GD arrived, eight years ago, her parents were all concern about gender stereotyping and vowed to ensure that she wasn't dressed in 'girly' pink or given dolls to the exclusion of other, gender neutral toys.

Our GD soon (by the time she was two) had decided she liked pink girly things.... End of parents' high falutin' ideas about gender stereotyping.

As RB will no doubt discover.

grannygranby Mon 17-Oct-16 11:43:40

I agree with whitewave. As a second generation feminist I decided to not gender my first baby and it was absolutely fine till she went to playgroup and got chased by a boy and loved it - so I knew whatever was coming through was from her not imposed by me. I remember as a six week old in a cold cottage I went to the village baby wear shop and asked for baby hat and they said girl or boy - at 6 weeks! what I wanted was a hat with ear flaps that was practical and warm - this happened to be a boys hat and I managed to get it in white. There is still a lot of fighting to be done so Go for it Russell.

Yorkshiregel Mon 17-Oct-16 11:50:43

What is wrong with bringing up a boy as a boy and vice versa? All this nonsense just confuses a child. I do not disagree with a child playing with a baby doll if a new arrival is expected in the family, but to say a boy should dress in a fairy dress, as was published in a national paper recently, is just begging for him to be bullied at school.

Children are children. They will find their own way without restrictions or deliberate attempts by the parents to swing them one way or another. Leave them to enjoy their childhood without confusing them.

Russell Brant.....well what can you say. Looking for publicity is what he is at. An attention seeker if ever there was one. Time he grew up I think.

Gaggi3 Mon 17-Oct-16 11:53:01

DD2 has twins, a boy and a girl, who were two in July. They have shared everything and been treated the same, but some differences have emerged, without any prompting from anyone. The boy loves diggers and tractors and though they both play with cars and trains etc., he likes them far more. He does push a toy push-chair but can be quite cavalier with the occupants. The girl likes to put dolls to bed and change nappies etc. She tries to mother (and boss) her brother. She also walked and talked first, but he caught up very soon.
Who knows how this child development thing works? I heard a play on the radio a while ago about a couple bringing up their child as gender neutral, can't remember the details, but it didn't end well.

janeainsworth Mon 17-Oct-16 12:00:33

That's interesting bags about the contact noises. I remember too sometimes being able to soothe them back to sleep with a few calming murmurs.

henetha Mon 17-Oct-16 12:05:25

I saw that interview on Jonathon Ross, and honestly think Russell said it tongue in cheek. He likes winding us up so I dont take him seriously. It's a stupid idea anyway and would never work.

Stansgran Mon 17-Oct-16 12:15:49

Poor child probably put itself up for adoption as soon as possible. I read a Canadian thriller recently which included a child brought up gender neutral just to annoy the grandparents. It was by Louise Penny . Sorry to digress.

Granby Mon 17-Oct-16 12:33:32

I think Russell Brand is more intelligent and down-to-earth than people give him credit for. I'm sure this 'non-gender' business, regarding his child is largely tongue-in-cheek. Yes, I'm sure he'll try to avoid gender stereotypes with regards to toys, and probably clothes, but beyond that, I think he'll respond to his child as an individual, respecting his/her preferences and interests. He likes to 'play' the public, and yes, it might seem a bit immature, but it just reflects his somewhat quirky sense of humour!

Granby Mon 17-Oct-16 12:33:32

I think Russell Brand is more intelligent and down-to-earth than people give him credit for. I'm sure this 'non-gender' business, regarding his child is largely tongue-in-cheek. Yes, I'm sure he'll try to avoid gender stereotypes with regards to toys, and probably clothes, but beyond that, I think he'll respond to his child as an individual, respecting his/her preferences and interests. He likes to 'play' the public, and yes, it might seem a bit immature, but it just reflects his somewhat quirky sense of humour!

Christingle Mon 17-Oct-16 12:39:07

He is and always will be a total fruit loop.

Marthajolly1 Mon 17-Oct-16 12:41:24

I really am not surprised to hear Brand would put his own attention seeking self before considering the needs of his child. I cant imagine his parenting skills will be grounded