Abstract
<p>Objective: Recently, there has been an increasing societal and scientific interest in gender-neutral parenting as a means of challenging societal gender norms and achieving equal treatment of people regardless of their gender. Yet, the scientific literature on gender-neutral parenting is fragmented, using different terms and definitions. The present scoping review aimed to clarify how gender-neutral parenting is defined and conceptualized across childhood and adolescence. Design: Following PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews, a systematic search of the literature published until September 2025 was conducted across different search engines (e.g., Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo). In total, 34 publications met predefined eligibility criteria. The content of the publications was analyzed using a hybrid deductive–inductive thematic analysis in NVivo. Results: Across publications, we identified 9 parenting dimensions that clustered within four interrelated systems of action: (a) counter-stereotypical role modelling and reinforcement; (b) disrupting, expanding, and de-centering gender schemas; (c) supporting children’s gender agency and self-determination; and (d) reshaping gendered systems beyond the family context. Together, they form a coherent constellation of parenting practices that we conceptualize as gender-expansive parenting, a term that provides a better fit to the different dimensions than the term gender-neutral parenting. Conclusion: By offering a clear conceptualization and theoretical integration of gender-expansive parenting, this review lays the groundwork for the development of assessment tools and empirical research on how gender-expansive parenting practices shape children’s gender development and well-being.</p>