American popstar and activist P!nk said in a recent interview that she is raising her children in a label-less household to allow them to feel free to discover their own sexuality and gender expression, and it has sparked a discussion.
P!nk has always been known for speaking her mind about all issues surrounding politics, body positivity and social justice issues, and nothing has changed when it comes to her role as a mother.
P!nk discusses her “label-less home” and how she primarily focuses on developing a supportive environment for both her son and daughter with full freedom to express themselves. Whether it be through their appearance or interests, her kids are free to express themselves how they please.
She clarifies that she is not calling her home “gender-neutral” because she views that itself as a label. The idea is to not have any labels or limits on what her kids can and can’t enjoy.
This isn’t the first time P!nk has made this topic public. During the 2017 VMA Awards, she told an emotional story of her daughter’s struggle to accept herself after being called a boy by her classmates.
Pink said to the teary-eyed audience: “We don’t change. We take the gravel in the shell and we make a pearl, and we help other people change so they can see more kinds of beauty."
Regardless of all the controversy surrounding it in recent years, gender issues are still very new to some people. Understanding it all can feel overwhelming, but gender is actually very simple. Just because someone is a female, doesn’t mean they’re constricted to enjoying only “girly” activities, but it also doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy them. The same goes for males or any other gender one may identify as. Gender is simply what a person identifies as, whether it’s through physical expression or choice of activities.
Kids shouldn’t be placed in a box and told what they are and aren’t allowed to like; this can lead to identity crises when they get older. Whether a boy wants to play with makeup or a girl wants to play football, it all boils down to being open to a child’s self expression and promoting them to believe that they can do whatever it is they love, regardless of their label.
Raising children to believe they don’t have to be tied down by their gender and that they are capable of anything is going to create such an open-minded and accepting future generation.
The way P!nk is demonstrating this is extremely forward thinking, with all the love and support for their choices. Utilizing her platform to promote peace and empowerment is something she has been doing her whole career, but hopefully her positive parenting choices and ideals will gain traction as well.
