Gender Identity

Gender identity

An individual’s sense of being male, female, both, neither, etc., which is typically but not always consolidated by age 3-4 years.

gender role behavior

Aspects of an individual’s behavior that are consistent with cultural definitions of masculinity or femininity

Sexual identity

An individual’s labeling of self as heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, asexual, etc.

Sexual orientation

Describes what is erotically attractive to an individual and is usually consistent with sexual identity (not consolidated until adolescence or later)

Chromosomal sex

Whether a person possesses XX, XY, or other sex chromosome complement

gonadal sex

Whether a person possesses ovaries, testes, or a combination of the two

anatomical sex

The external genitalia that a person possesses

Natal sex

The external genitalia possessed at birth

Assigned sex

The sex assigned to newborns, usually corresponding to their natal sex

Psychobehavioral sex differences

• sexual orientation

• interest in visual sexual stimuli

• interest in casual sex (sociosexuality)

• childhood play (toys choice, rough-and-tumble or calmer)

• job interest (people vs things)

• spatial cognition

• aggression

naturalistic fallacy

People may equate natural differences with the best human practices

gender constancy

Realization that sex categories are permanent and won’t change over time, which generally appears by age 3-4. Most children can identify their own sex and categorize themselves with other same-sex children. Motivates child to develop stereotypical ideas.

mini-puberty

In males, there is a second surge of testosterone for the first six months of postnatal life, which then reduces and levels remain low until puberty

gender schemas

Framework of ideas about gender influencing perceptions, judgments, and memories

Sexual scripts

Sexual behavior is a form of role-playing that sets expectations for interaction based on gender

childhood gender nonconformity

A measure of childhood sex-atypical behavior which is quantifiable and is a sexually dimorphic trait. Includes behaviors that vary from expectations of birth sex within:

• athletics, aggression, rough play

• toy preferences

• career ambitions/role models

• cross-dressing

• affiliation with boys or girls

• reputation as “sissy” or “tomboy”

• gender identity - how the child actually feels

childhood gender dysphoria

DSM-V diagnosis:

• strong and persistent cross-gender identification

• persistent discomfort with own sex or sense of inappropriateness in gender role of own sex

• disturbance is not concurrent with intersex condition

• causes clinically significant distress

watchful waiting model

Providers should support gender nonconforming children and help them explore their gender identity. There is no active transitioning until the child is mature enough to make an independent decision.

Gender-Affirmative Model of Care (GAMC)

Take action to allow child to exercise their gender. Social influences are not responsible for dysphoria, and negative reactions and cause psychological issues.