Childhood gender nonconformity

Childhood gender nonconformity is a phenomenon in which pre-pubescent children do not conform to expected gender-related sociological or psychological patterns, and/or identify with the opposite gender.^[1] Typical behaviour among those who exhibit the phenomenon includes but is not limited to a propensity to cross-dress, refusal to take part in activities conventionally thought suitable for the gender and the exclusive choice of play-mates of the opposite sex.

Multiple studies have correlated childhood gender non-conformity with eventual gay/bisexual and transgender outcomes.^[2][3] In some studies, a majority of those who identify as gay or lesbian self-report being gender non-conforming as children. However, the accuracy of these studies has been questioned from within the academic community.^[4] The therapeutic community is currently divided on the proper response to childhood gender non-conformity. One study suggested that childhood gender non-conformity is heritable.^[2]

Manifestations of gender non-conformity in children

Gender non-conformity in children can have many forms, reflecting various ways in which a child relates to his or her gender.

• Cross gender clothing and grooming preferences;
• Playing with toys generally associated with the opposite sex;
• Preference for playmates of the opposite sex;
• Identification with characters of the opposite sex in stories, cartoons or films;
• Affirmation of the desire to be a member of the opposite sex;
• Strong verbal affirmation of a cross-gender identity ("No, I'm not a boy, I'm a girl", or "no, I'm not a girl, I'm a boy.")

Association with sexual orientation

Gender-variant men and boys are often assumed to be gay or bisexual. Indeed, one study found a high incidence of gay males self-reporting gender-atypical behaviors in childhood, such as having little interest in athletics and preferring to play with dolls.^[5] The same study found that mothers of gay males recalled such atypical behavior in their sons with greater frequency than mothers of heterosexual males.^[5] Nevertheless, not all gay/bisexual men exhibit especially feminine characteristics, and not all feminine men identify as gay/bisexual.

Adolescence

Gender non-conformity has gradually become more socially acceptable, especially for girls. Gender behaviour is still quite limited for boys and men in terms of what is considered appropriate masculine behaviour, and those who present effeminate or traditional feminine behaviour often draw unwanted attention to themselves. However, in recent times our society has seen cross-sexed behaviour among boys that has become more socially acceptable.

At the onset of adolescence, many girls modify their masculine behaviour and dress to reflect a more socially accepted female form. This modification may be motivated by peer pressure to fit in with a gender group, the desire to be sexually attracive to a specific type of person, or by an internal ideal of what it means to be an adult woman. Women who do not modify themselves thusly at adolescence are often subject to violence, social exclusion, bullying and even psychiatric intervention - techniques employed by others in the social milieu to police gender and sexuality boundaries. The rejection of prevalent social norms by some women may be the result of high self confidence, rebelliousness, indifference, isolation, intelligence, or mental health or social issues which serve to de-prioritise social conformity.

Therapeutic response

Psychologists are divided on how best to respond to childhood gender nonconformity or gender variance. Some therapists support allowing children to transition or express gender variance, while others favor behaviour modification to discourage gender variance.

In many areas of the USA, gender specialists with experience in this area are virtually non-existent, leaving parents to fend for themselves using internet self-help groups and therapists with little or no training on what little is known about gender identity development. One California-based organization, Gender Spectrum, provides international support to families of gender non-conforming children.

Supportive professionals

Some professionals, including Dr. Edgardo J. Menvielle of the Children's National Medical Center, who has specialized in this area in his clinical practice,^[6] believe that the proper response to gender variant behavior is supportive therapy aimed at helping the child deal with any social issues which may arise due to homophobia / transphobia. These professionals believe that attempts to alter these behaviors, and/or whatever mechanism is responsible for their expression, are generally ineffective and do more harm than good. While not universally advocating for what childhood transgender advocates refer to as full social transition, the CNMC model generally supports allowing a child to express cross gendered interests at home in an age appropriate fashion. Other professionals associated with a supportive model include Dr. Norman Spack of Children's Hospital Boston,^[7] Catherine Tuerk, MA, RN, Herbert Schreier, MD (Children's Hospital Oakland), and Ellen C. Perrin, MD of the Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN) at TUFTS.

Reparative therapy

Other professionals, typified by Dr. Kenneth Zucker, the Head of the Gender Identity Service, Child, Youth, and Family Program and Psychologist-in-Chief at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, believe that behavior modification to extinguish gender variance is the appropriate response to cross gender interests. Dr. Zucker asks the rhetorical question of whether it would be ethical to treat an African American child who wishes to identify as Caucasian with cosmetic surgeries to facilitate this identity, though his critics point out that gender identity is completely non-analogous to ethnic identity. Dr. Zucker's choice as one of the professionals creating the new DSM entry on GID has elicited a firestorm of controversy in the GLBTQ community. Dr. Zucker has expressed the opinion that if his therapies also occasionally prevent a homosexual outcome, they are a valid parental choice.

Reparative therapy for adults is generally discouraged by the ethics guidelines of major U.S. mental health organizations, including the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, the American Counseling Association. There is no such consensus around such therapies for children.

Mental health outcomes

Many researchers see the potential of childhood gender nonconforming adult males having mild dissatisfaction with their bodies or male physique.^[8] Other negative mental health outcomes could also result due to the influence of negative media and social portrayals of transgender and gender non-conforming children.^[9]

In media

Episodes of 60 Minutes,^{[citation needed]} 20/20 with Barbara Walters,^{[citation needed]} The Oprah Winfrey Show,^{[citation needed]} The Tyra Banks Show,^[10] a Newsweek cover story,^{[citation needed]} and major articles in The New York Times^[11] and The Atlantic^[12] have discussed childhood gender nonconformity, although they focused almost exclusively on transsexual children. The Dr. Oz show has also addressed the topic of transgender children.^[13][14]

On August 27, 2006, CBS News 60 Minutes aired a report on childhood gender nonconformity.^[15]

The Belgian film from 1997, Ma Vie en Rose, had as its major theme the gender nonconformity of a boy named Ludovic.

In 2009, author Brian Katcher released a novel called Almost Perfect which told the story of an adolescent transgender girl.^[16]

In October and November 2010, there was extensive media coverage of a mother who let her young son dress up as his favorite female character from Scooby Doo.^[17] The incident sparked discussion among gender activists, psychologists, and sociologists.

In an episode of "Our America with Lisa Ling" which aired in February 2011, host Lisa Ling highlighted a 7-year-old transgender girl who had seen herself as female ever since she was able to communicate. She changed her name on her own from Harry to Hailey.^[18] The show also profiled a trangender male adolescent and several transgender adults.

See also

• Gender variance
• Sissy
• Tomboy

References

1. ^ Ritter, Terndrup, Kathleen Y., Anthony I. (2002). Handbook of Affirmative Psychotherapy with Lesbians and Gay Men. Guilford Press. pp. 58. ISBN 978-1572307148. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0sHWnt9WmRsC&pg=PA58&dq=%22Childhood+Gender+Nonconformity%22+what+is&hl=en&ei=-kc4TOu0FIP2swPxkfVR&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Childhood%20Gender%20Nonconformity%22%20what%20is&f=false. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Friedman, RC (2008). Sexual Orientation and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Sexual Science and Clinical Practice. Columbia University Press. pp. 53–7. ISBN 978-0231120579. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mwtokhymV_4C&pg=PA53&dq=%22Childhood+Gender+Nonconformity%22&hl=en&ei=n0k4TNzJD4PQsAPOtqBR&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22Childhood%20Gender%20Nonconformity%22&f=false. 
3. ^ Baumeister, Roy F. (2001). Social Psychology and Human Sexuality: Essential Readings. Psychology Press. pp. 201–2. ISBN 978-1841690186. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=roychiRaM8gC&pg=PA202&dq=%22Childhood+Gender+Nonconformity%22&hl=en&ei=n0k4TNzJD4PQsAPOtqBR&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22Childhood%20Gender%20Nonconformity%22&f=false. 
4. ^ Brookley, Robert (2002). Reinventing the Male Homosexual: The Rhetoric and Power of the Gay Gene. Indiana University Press. pp. 60–65. ISBN 978-0253340573. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bZrXrqaDfwoC&lpg=PT54&pg=PT54#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
5. ^ ^{a b} J. Michael Bailey, Joseph S. Miller, Lee Willerman; Maternally Rated Childhood Gender Nonconformity in Homosexuals and Heterosexuals, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 22, 1993.
6. ^ *Edgardo J. Menvielle, MD, MSHS of the Children's National Medical Center
7. ^ Gender Management Service (GeMS) Clinic at Children's Hospital in Boston
8. ^ Patrick K. Randall, Devendra Singh, Scott M. Strong; Childhood Gender Nonconformity and Body Dissatisfaction in Gay and Heterosexual Men, Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 2000.
9. ^ Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “Life & Style Off the Mark in Targeting Gender Identity of Angelina Jolie’s Child”, ‘’GLAAD’’, USA, March 3, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
10. ^ Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “The Tyra Show Features Transgender Children and Their Families”, ‘’GLAAD’’, USA, January 28, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
11. ^ *Supporting Boys or Girls When the Line Isn’t Clear by Patricia Leigh Brown Published: December 2, 2006
12. ^ *A Boy's Life by Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, November 2008
13. ^ Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “The Dr. Oz Show Raises the Bar for Transgender Talk Show Coverage”, ‘’GLAAD’’, USA, February 18, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
14. ^ Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “Groundbreaking Dr. Oz Show on Transgender Children Airs Thursday, February 18”, ‘’GLAAD’’, USA, February 16, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
15. ^ "August 27, 2006, CBS News 60 Minutes report on childhood gender nonconformity"
16. ^ Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “Touching Teen Novel About Transgender Girl Wins 2011 ALA Stonewall Award”, ‘’GLAAD’’, USA, January 26, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
17. ^ Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “Psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere Apologizes for Comments Made on CNN”, ‘’GLAAD’’, USA, November 5, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
18. ^ Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “Lisa Ling Explores Transgender Lives on ‘Our America’ Episode”, ‘’GLAAD’’, USA, February 25, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.