The effects of gender identity suppression
The DSM-IV lists the following diagnostic criteria for the currently listed diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder or GID (PsychNet-UK, n.d.):
I. A strong persistent cross-gender identification (not merely a desire for any perceived cultural advantages of being the other sex). In children, the disturbance is manifested by four (or more) of the following: Read more…
Gender Creativity
The first question any expectant parent is asked is, is it a boy or a girl. This question speaks to the socially accepted binary gender system deeply ingrained into American culture, which goes unquestioned by a majority of those living within its borders. And yet, recent studies have found that the prevalence of affirmed female (MTF) trans/gender variant identified individuals alone is between 1:500 and 1:250 (TransActive, n.d.). When you include FTM identified individuals and all those who identity as genderqueer and non-gendered that would indicate that while still in the minority, gender nonconforming individuals are not uncommon. Read more…
