it just means you don't know what your kid thinks, says and does behind your back, basically.

Acculturation models can predict these with suprising accuracy, it's no secret the power of american media, let alone how images are controlled to basically start inculcating a consumerist value paradigm from the time they can speak until the time they die. Hell, behavioural psychologists are employed by various media companies for this vary purpose.

Nonetheless, the introduction of bortus was interesting, in that his relationship with the other "guy/girl" wasn't introduced immediately, essentially allowing the viewer to get to know him first, then introducing characteristics which don't fall within the standard gender paradigm of conservative american society. Think that makes a big difference.

Gender fluidity, like other changing cultural norms in america (homosexuality no longer being considered a mental illness, thank god) are changing because they don't present a threat to the current economic model, the owners of capital really don't care whether you are gay or straight, so long as you work and consume, so social issues such as this are a great distraction, if not ultimately a beneficial one in the long run.