Gender 'tag cloud' (Photo credit: ILRI)
The article below is copied entirely from Yahoo news pages on 24 Feb and can be seen there. I think it is a step in the right direction and makes for positive reading in the light of recent mishandling of the same subject by some areas of the press. I felt it worthy of posting for those who find the whole subject confusing…..
.. News headlines this week proclaimed the story of five-year-old Zach Avery, the British boy who rejected his sex and now lives as a girl.Zach Avery © Caters News But away from all the controversy over one child’s tale, we take a look at how to handle this rare, but very real, condition: gender identity disorder or GID. While most often seen in adolescence or adulthood, GID – where a person feels alienated from their biological sex – can also be experienced by children. Cases of very young boys and girls, such as that of Zach Avery, are in the minority. At the UK’s only national medical centre for the disorder, London’s Tavistock and Portman Foundation Trust, only seven children under the age of five were diagnosed last year. [Related story: Meet the parents raising a genderless child] But the number of children of all ages diagnosed with GID rose from 97 in 2009-10 to 165 so far this academic year. Much of the upsurge may be due to greater awareness. But, as experts point out, around 800 adults are referred annually to NHS gender identity clinics. And although most say they experienced discomfort about their sex from childhood, only about 50 children per annum are referred to the Tavistock and Portman. That means many childhood cases of this gender dysphoria – that is, unhappiness or anxiety about biological gender – may be going unreported and undiagnosed. And it can manifest itself, as the NHS notes, “at a very young age”. But how do you know if your child has the syndrome or if their protestations are just another phase? Should you be concerned if your little boy wants to dress as a ‘girl’, your daughter only has boy playmates or your son says he wants to be a lady when he grows up? It’s a difficult and sensitive issue with as many grey areas as there may be black and white – but there are organisations and support networks out there that can help. One of them, the British charity Mermaids, is specifically aimed at helping young people and their families through what can be a very confusing time. As the website site explains: “Your daughter may say that she wants to be a boy, or your son may identify himself as a girl. Or perhaps you are worried about your child’s cross gender behaviour, but they won’t discuss it with you, and instead are isolated and withdrawn… Don’t panic, you are not alone.” [Related story: 'Gender neutral' child says 'it's silly' to differentiate between boys and girls] Firstly, it is important to remember that even children who experience gender identity disorder are not inevitably going to wish to change their sex when they reach adulthood. Sometimes the issues are transient, and pass. The NHS says: “In most cases, this type of behaviour is just a normal part of growing up, but in some cases of gender dysphoria, it persists into later childhood and through to adulthood.” UK charity the Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES) notes that, of the relatively small number of cases of young children the organisation has seen, 80 per cent “did not progress to become transsexual people” – i.e. undergoing surgery to alter their sex. As for what causes it, the reasons remain largely unknown. While GID is currently classed as a psychiatric condition, recent studies suggest it is more to do with biological development. Whether passing or permanent, psychological or physical, the reality is that when children do go through these issues, the stresses can be immense – from bullying at school to alienation within the home and disgust at their own bodies. According to official NHS advice, if the behaviours are occasional, or in early childhood, there is often little cause for concern. But if your child repeatedly insists they want to be the opposite sex, behaves as the opposite sex, dislikes or refuses to wear clothes typically worn by their sex, shows unhappiness with their genitalia, has not yet reached puberty and has behaved in this way for at least six months then they could have GID so visit your GP for a referral to a gender dysphoria clinic. Here is some advice on how to deal with the condition as a parent, teacher or family member: .Remember that, while rare, it is not that rare. GIRES estimates that in any school of 1,000 pupils there are likely to be six who will experience transgenderism throughout their lives. Among younger, pre-adolescent, pupils, there are likely to be 60 who will experience “atypical sexual orientation”. Try not to conform to stereotypical views of gender. If your son prefers to wear ‘girly’ clothing or your daughter displays ‘boyish’ behaviours, don’t forbid it even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. If your child or a young person in your care brings up the matter of gender (e.g. expresses anxiety about being a boy/girl) always listen, reassure and offer support. GIRES adds: “If it feels right to ask a few questions, you can do that, but do it gently and don’t make it sound like an interrogation. Try not to act as though you are amazed or shocked. Be relaxed and matter-of-fact.” Reassure the child that he or she is not the only one – and that although it may be unusual, there are other young people who feel exactly the same. Organisations such as Mermaids and Gendered Intelligence can show young people and their families that they are not alone. Ask how they feel about it: if they say they are very upset or depressed or have even considered suicide, take them seriously and tell your doctor. Ask if anyone else is aware of this and inquire, gently, if they have ever been bullied because of it. Prejudice and bullying can be a serious problem. Organisations such as the Anti-Bullying Alliance can help. Try to understand the nature of gender variance – that is, not to think of gender identity as being either totally male or totally female. GIRES says: “Sometimes people of any age may be ungendered. In many people, especially those who are young, gender identity may be partially both male and female and also fluid.” Seek support and advice yourself – it is normal for parents to feel worried, confused and uncomfortable. Don’t ignore it and don’t react with anger – forcing a child to hide his or her feelings will not make them go away. Remember that gender identity is naturally variable; it is no-one’s fault, so do not feel guilty or blame anything you may or may not have done. . If you do decide a GP referral is the appropriate course of action, specialist doctors can make a proper diagnosis, as well as undertake psychological assessments and possibly hormone tests. Counselling, group support, and other treatments are available. Lastly, as the NHS advises: “You should try to be relaxed about cross-gender behaviour in your child, even if you do feel concerned. It is important that children do not feel judged or rejected because of who they are. “Sometimes, in the case of a child who wishes to cross-dress, you may feel it is appropriate to negotiate some boundaries to this, by explaining to your child that although this isn’t a secret, it is private and should be done at home, but perhaps not at school as other people may not understand. However, it is important not to make the child feel that this is something shameful.” For information and advice see www.mermaidsuk.orh.uk or call their helpline on (0208) 1234819 Mon to Sat, 3-7pm. Also see www.gires.org.uk, www.genderedintelligence.co.uk and www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk…. . @YLifestyleUK on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook .. . . Family and Parenting Editor Picks
Copyright Yahoo 2012
Shirley Anne
Related articles
- Boy, 5, lives his life as a GIRL after becoming one of the youngest ever to be diagnosed on the NHS with ‘Gender Identity Disorder’ (dailymail.co.uk)
- Gender Identity Disorder in children – the facts (telegraph.co.uk)
- Five-Year-Old Boy Lives As Girl In Youngest Case Of Gender Identity Disorder (kayceeweezy.wordpress.com)
