Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Phenomena referred to as Gender Identity Disorder

Gender Identity refers to one’s sense of maleness or femaleness. This maybe distinguished from gender role, which refers to the masculinity and femininity of one’s overt behavior. Gender identity is the strongest correlation with biological sex, but is not perfect.

There are cases of individuals who feel extreme discomfort and unhappiness with their biological sex and trongly desire to change to the opposite sex. Such people referred to as transsexual, actually opt for expensive and complicated surgery to accomplish their desire.

The DSM-IV-TR list gender identity disorder under sexual disorders and is characterized by two components;

1) A strong and persistent cross-gender identification- that is the desire to be, or the insistence that one is of the opposite sex, and

2) Gender dysphoria- a persistent discomfort about one’s biological sex or the sense that the gender role of that sex is inappropriate. This disorder may occur in children or adults of both sexes.

Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood:

Research shows that boys with this disorder show a major preoccupation with traditional feminine activities (Zucker, 2005; Zucker & Bradley, 1995). This boys may prefer dressing in female clothes and prefer playing stereotypical girls activities like playing with dolls. Such boys are normally ostracized by other boys as “sissies”.

Girls with the disorder resist wearing the stereotypical girls clothing like dresses preferring boys clothes and short hair. They prefer boys sports and show little interest in dolls . Most tomboys will have these traits but girls with gender identity disorder are distinguished by their desire to be a boy or grow up as a man.

Read more: http://healthmad.com/health/the-phenomena-referred-to-as-gender-identity-disorder/#ixzz1FTZgzS6t

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