Actress Julia Fox is deliberately raising her 4-year-old son, Valentino, with an emphasis on breaking conventional gender norms. Speaking to Us Weekly, Fox shared that her parenting strategy involves treating boys and girls equally, aiming to dismantle the pressures society often places on girls while reframing what boys are taught about strength and expression.
Fox’s approach comes from her firm belief that children should not be confined by outdated gender expectations, which she discussed in detail during her recent exclusive interview.
A Thoughtful Parenting Dialogue About Gender Norms Begins Early
Fox described a recent moment with Valentino during a movie when a character appeared wearing a wedding dress, prompting her son to ask why a boy would wear a dress. Seizing this chance to teach, Fox encouraged Valentino to question why it is considered unusual for boys to wear traditionally female clothing, while girls wearing male clothing is often accepted.
She explained to her son,
“I was like, ‘You know, Uncle Ben wears dresses, so if I wore a suit, would that be weird?’”
This conversation helped Valentino critically think about societal double standards regarding gender expression.
Chosen Family as a Model for Inclusive Parenting
Julia Fox lives with her son and two close friends, Richie Shazam and Ben Draghi, in a New York City brownstone, using their diverse family structure as an example for Valentino. Fox references their “chosen family” dynamic to demonstrate that household relationships and expressions of identity extend beyond traditional norms.
She continuously fosters open discussions with Valentino to help him understand and embrace diversity, going beyond superficial lessons to address more profound societal expectations.
Confronting Patriarchy and Raising a Conscious Son
Despite moments of uncertainty, Fox remains committed to avoiding complacency in her son’s upbringing. As a vocal feminist and critic of patriarchal values, she recognizes the importance of proactive guidance to prevent him from embodying traits she opposes.
Fox expressed her concern, stating,
“God forbid he goes out into the world and becomes the exact epitome of everything I hate because I was just like, ‘It’ll be fine.’”
She emphasizes having difficult conversations early to help her son develop a thoughtful awareness suitable for his age.
Her goal is to dismantle harmful seeds of bias before they can take root, as she elaborated,
“But as soon as they start making those remarks, we have to start deconstructing that, because that’s a little seed that has been planted. … I just don’t want him to be that person.”
Reflecting on Her Own Upbringing Shapes Fox’s Parenting Philosophy
In her memoir Down the Drain, Fox recounts a challenging childhood marked by complicated parental relationships. Becoming a parent herself has shifted her perspective, encouraging greater empathy towards her own parents while motivating her to parent differently.
She acknowledges,
“A lot of the way that I parent is in direct opposition with the way that I was parented. I have so much more sympathy for my parents now that I’m a mom. I think you really don’t get it until you’re a parent.”
The Broader Importance of Julia Fox’s Approach to Parenting
Julia Fox’s conscious efforts to raise Valentino without gender stereotypes contribute to a wider cultural conversation about parenting and identity in today’s society. By encouraging him to question norms and embrace inclusivity from an early age, she hopes to nurture a generation less bound by the strictures of patriarchy.
Her commitment to fostering these discussions at home highlights the significance of parenting choices in shaping children’s understanding of equality and self-expression, potentially influencing how future generations view gender roles.
