D13

Gender Variant Children:  A Developmental Perspective

Presenters: Diane Ehrensaft

Abstract Category: Diversity

Instruction Level: All

Presentation: Click Here

Description:      

Children who go against the grain of cultural gender norms have suffered maltreatment from families, from the mental health system, and from their communities.  This workshop addresses an alternative model of healthy gender variant development and the associated mental health needs for the children and for their families.

Abstract:

Gay and lesbian youth have significantly higher levels of depression and suicidality. Starting from the assumption that primary contributing factors include homophobia, peer harassment, family maltreatment, ill-informed mental health services, and extending the problem to all children and youth who present in gender-variant ways, immediate measures are needed to reduce risks and provide healthy developmental pathways for children with nonconforming gender identity.  This workshop addresses1) the causalities, including the relationship between nature and nurture in the evolution of a gender nonconforming child;  2) the developmental progression from early life to maturity; 3) the dilemmas in differentiating a gender-fluid from a  transgender, from a  proto-gay or proto-queer child; 4) parental experiences in raising a gender nonconforming child; 5) the emotional needs and environmental provisions required to provide healthy mental health outcomes for the children and protect them from maltreatment.