Herbert's story is now big news in Denmark and he was even on TV last night, although I couldn't receive it as i live in Sweden. I do follow the Danish press, though, and it has prompted a debate throughout their media about whether boys generally can wear dresses and skirts. For example:
http://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/samfund/ ... 789688.ece
Mange forældre bliver nervøse, hvis deres drengebørn går i kjoler. Omvendt er det et hit, hvis piger kravler i træer, siger forsker. Hvad mener du?
Means:
Many parents would become concerned if their boy children were to wear dresses. On the other hand, it would be "a hit" if girls climbed trees, say researchers. What do you think?
http://holmskjold.blogda.dk/
Bøsseangst i børnehaven: Hvorfor er vi så bange for at lade børn eksperimentere med deres kønsidentitet? Treårige Herbert, der elsker prinsessekjoler, har sat nationen på den anden ende.
Means: homosexuality fear in the kindergarden: Why are we so afraid to let children experiemnt with their gender identity? Three year old Herbert, who loves princess dresses, has set the nation talking (very roughly translated)
A similar story on the respected national paper, Politiken:
http://politiken.dk/debat/profiler/gies ... ernehaven/
The last letter here, from Anne Grete Hansen, says:
Dear Ditte - It's quite strange that after decades of women's liberation must hear that the freed men are filled with horror at the fact that their little Gustav wants to play princess for a day.
The male freedom could also include being able to dress up in something less conventional than the uniform suit and tight tie.... Scotsmen don't appear to feel less masculine by wearing pleated skirts sometimes. In other cultures, it's normal attire for men (she then mentions the Greek palace guards). No doubt many of the critical women have tattoos, wear cool jeans and the very latest trend in basketball boots. They probably also do weightlifting.
A bit more on Herbert - in English:
http://pinterest.com/pin/155866837074227838/
I appreciate this is more about gender issues than fashion freedom for men (and boys). However, anything which challenges and undermines the notion that MALE = PANTS (and ONLY pants) is to be welcomed IMO. Herbert hasn't said he wants to be a girl: he just wants the right that girls of his age take for granted - the right to choose to wear unbifurcated, as well as bifurcated, garments.
Stu