In the article, Manon explains what this looks like in practice.
The toilets
“There simply are no signs on the walls in our toilets. So they are not just for boys or girls, but for everyone.” The toilet cubicles also only have a regular toilet. “Yes, if we installed urinals, it would no longer be gender-neutral, right? Boys can sit down too.”
Playing
“Everyone is allowed to play with everything here. Lego, Barbies and blocks. We do not say what is not allowed. Why is it considered normal for a toddler boy to wear a dress and paint his nails, but for that to suddenly stop when he goes to primary school? Because then he suddenly has to behave like a boy? Everyone is allowed to wear a dress!”
Personal motivation
Manon has a transgender daughter herself. “A few years ago, she came up to me and said: ‘Mum, I don’t know whether I’m a girl or a boy.’ Yes, that really opens up a whole new world for you. Suddenly, as a family, we were confronted with all the difficulties she encountered, simply because she wanted to be herself.” This motivated Prévoo to set up the gender-neutral primary school.
Gender segregation
After primary school, the children will still encounter gender segregation. In secondary education, at sports clubs and in the workplace. Nevertheless, offering a gender-neutral setting at primary school is worthwhile, according to Manon: “Of course, we need time to make this process our own. But I am firmly convinced that the children who go from our school to secondary school will take this wonderful perspective on the world with them. And if we can plant a seed in that way—even if it is only one—I will be satisfied.”
Photo: Manon Prévoo.