[split] Names, pronouns, articles... and gender

[joost]

I read an article not long ago about a couple who would not refer to their child as a boy or girl (I forget which sex it actually is,) hoping that the child will come to terms with its gender identity on its own instead.

This reminds me of the Orthe books by Mary Gentle. The Orthean children are neutral (and referred to as ke) until approximately 15 when they change into their true gender. The Ortheans are very surprised to hear that human children are born sexed, and someone commented (approx.) 'How would a child know what gender it is?'.