University Child Development: Gender Nonconforming Research Essay

This essay, prepared for ECH452 Child Development: Research & Practice, provides a comprehensive overview of research on gender nonconforming children. It begins by defining gender nonconformity and its manifestations, citing various studies on the topic. The essay critically reviews studies that explore the experiences of transgender and gender diverse children, focusing on issues such as gender dysphoria, societal stigma, and the impact of family support. The review includes discussions on the biological, cognitive, and social aspects of gender identity development, as well as the challenges faced by these children. The essay examines studies related to the experiences of transgender children, the roles of parents, and the need for supportive interventions. The essay also discusses the generalizability of research findings, addressing the social stigma and discrimination faced by gender nonconforming individuals. Overall, the essay highlights the importance of understanding the challenges and providing support for gender nonconforming children.

Running head: CHILD DEVELOPMENT: RESEARCH & PRACTICE
CHILD DEVELOPMENT: RESEARCH & PRACTICE
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Introduction
An increase in numbers of gender non-conforming children is being referred for care,
especially primary care specialists. As stated by the term, gender non-conformity or gender
variance is a behavior or expression exhibited by a person that does not correlate with
masculine or feminine norms of gender. Thus, variance in behavior can be seen as a result;
they are known as gender diverse, gender variant, gender-atypical, or gender non-
conforming. In the case of transgender individuals, they can be perceived as gender
nonconforming prior to transition. Some intersex people also exhibit gender variance.
Rodgers & O’Connor (2017) opined that gender identity is a concept that states that a person
has a personal sense of one’s gender, and thus, it may not be related to the assigned sex at the
time of birth. Each society has a set of categories for gender distinction that supports serving
a framework of self-identity of a person with respect to others in society. However, it is not
similar to an individual’s gender’s role that is apprehensive to a set of behavioral actions and
attitudes that is typical for a particular sex. The aim of the essay is to critically provide an
overview of various researches conducted on the topic, gender nonconforming along with
generalization that includes four reasons for generalizing the analysis with proper
justification.
Critical Review
One of the significant aspects of child development is a transition phase where it
understands that there are differences in various perspectives from other children in the
society. The society runs according to its own set of rules and principles, deviation from it
affect the person to a large extent. One of the aspects that are found to have a detrimental
impact on the developing phase of children is gender nonconforming. According to
Broussard and Warner (2019), childhood gender nonconforming is an occurrence among

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children in their prepubescent phase that do not conform according to the expected gender-
related psychological or sociological attitudes; thus, identifies with the opposite gender.
Several studies confirm the phenomena of childhood gender-nonconforming that related to
homosexuality and identifies the person either as lesbian or gay. According to one of the
studies conducted by Rogers and Meltzoff (2017), the role of non-conformity on the attitudes
towards transgender people was evaluated. Three studies were conducted were transgender or
cisgender were targeted for understanding the distinction between men and women. This was
found that the transgender targets were threatened than cisgender. There were moderate
effects of the belief of gender role and biological gender essentialism that confirmed that
there is a binary role of gender associated with gender expression. In addition to this, the
perception of the prejudice of anti-transgender, there is a decrease in liking that increase the
threat level for transgender as well as gender nonconforming individuals. From the study, it
can be stated that the adult is suffering from discrimination and even threatened to a large
extent. Thus, it is evident that children suffer from the more traumatic situation because of
multiple reasons in the community. From a study conducted by Reilly et al., (2019), a
growing body of awareness, as well as exposure have been found in the media and medical
community that address the complexity of individuals that are gender nonconforming in
nature. It can be seen that despite various studies and publications in important journals
related to child and teen with gender dysphoria and transgender, there is less support to these
people that question gender identity. The study outlines the biological and cognitive bases
with respect to the development of gender identity. According to the American Psychiatric
Association, gender dysphoria is a different situation between an individual is assigned or
physical gender and the gender the person identified (Psychiatry.org, 2016). These people are
not comfortable with the assigned gender and, thus, are stated to be uncomfortable in their
own body especially, in the developmental stages at puberty or the roles they are assigned to

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act according to the assigned gender. According to de Graaf et al., (2018), the frequency of
gender dysphoria in children is unknown; however, the detail related to the sex ratio of
children that are referred to as gender identity clinic is found. The method used for
conducting the study was the reference to the Gender Identity Development Service from
2000 to 2017. It was found that there is a predominant preference of birth-assigned gender
among boys than girls where the ratio is 1:27:1. The preference among boys is 3 to 9 years
were for girls; it is more ranging from 10 to 12 years. The cohort study indicated that there
was a decrease in referred birth-assigned boys from the period of 2000 to 206 and 2007 to
2017. The limitation of the study includes the scope of the study was restricted, and there was
no connection to the international registry. From the study, it was understood that society
prefers birth-assigned boys rather than birth-assigned girls because of prejudice. The concept
of gender-nonconforming in children is found to have various forms, which reflect various
ways according to which the child can relate to gender. As per the literature, the factors that
can be seen to differentiate between an individual with typical gender and atypical gender are
clothing and grooming preferences, the desire to have a playmate of the opposite sex, and
playing with toys that are most preferred by the opposite sex. An example of such behavior
includes a boy playing with dolls, affirmative behavior to become a member of other sex. The
children are found to identify characters of the opposite in various media and a robust verbal
pronouncement of having a cross-gender identity. In another study conducted by Temple
Newhook et al. (2018) had suggested that more than 80% of transgender children have been
identified as cisgender in the developmental phases. The percentage is high because this
phase is stated to be temporary in nature. The use of critical review methodology was
employed that analytically assessed the four studies in order to evaluate the result of gender-
nonconforming children, which is also known as desistance research. From the result, it can
be stated that theoretical, methodological, interpretive, and ethical issues regarding these

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studies as the authors had clarified that there are clinical and historical aspects in relation to
the studies that helped in deconstructing the idea demonstrated in the results. From the article,
it can be concluded that the diversity in childhood gender diversity can be applied with a
framework of persistence or desistance thus, shifting the progression based on the complexity
of the issue. However, there is a requirement of a more inclusive framework that needs to
take the voice of the children in a serious manner. Understanding their experiences will allow
in supporting them more comprehensively and offering guidance within the scientific and
general communities (Kuvalanka et al., 2019).
As per the opinion of Zeanah and Myint (2017), there is a difference in opinion in
science and politics, which is bidirectional in nature. The study involved a community-based
sample of both adolescents and children in assessing the risks based on children and
adolescent nonconformity that reported that it is considered as a sexual minority group
leading to anxiety and depression. The factors that are taken into account for conducting the
issue was cultural aspects, conflict, and pressures. Gender diversity is not new; however, the
research on the concept of gender-nonconforming is recent because of the fact that it is not
culturally accepted in society. The worth of the study was enhanced due to clinical practice
that overemphasised the children belonging to minority status. As per general conscious, the
factor affecting the mind-set of children exhibiting interest, traits and attitudes not typically
with their sex is the response of parents. Spivey, Huebner and Diamond (2018) stated that the
parents are uncomfortable in accepting gender-nonconforming of their children, which,
critically affects the development. The study involves conducting an online survey including
236 parents for assessing the child and parent traits towards gender conforming. As per the
result, it was reported that there was discomfort with the concept, and even after controlling
it, the parent’s tries to make more effort in altering the behavior rather than accept it.
Therefore, there is a requirement of interventional efforts promoting parental support.

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According to Olson-Kennedy et al., (2016), increase in gender-nonconforming are found in
the care setting. There is a lack of clinical information; as a result, it does not help in
predicting the psychosexual development of people. The transgender youth are found to have
a high risk in case of healthcare and psychosocial results. As per the longitudinal data, it was
examined that there is a considerable influence on medical intervention and social transition,
which are stated to be scant. The use of existing tools supported in understanding the concept
of gender identity as well as gender dysphoria, which was reconfigured for assessing cohort
study among transgender children. Therefore, biomedical data have been found to modify the
trajectory in case of scientific investigation. Consequently, it is important for conducting
extensive research in order to enhance the status of an individual with gender dysphoria and
experience of transgender specifically among youth. The recommendations that have been
opined were identification of the factor that results in persistence in gender dysphoria in the
transition from childhood to adolescence. It is important to understand the social environment
in which transgender youth strive for the development of effective interventional strategies in
order to improve the lives of those people. According to the study conducted by Kuvalanka et
al., (2017), a community-based sample included primary caregivers of 45 transgender and
gender nonconforming (TGNC) children whose age ranges from 6 to 12 year related to
factors such as gender presentation, well-being and peer relation. It was found that 69% of
children were cross-gender, where 17 out of 28 children that were assigned male at birth
identified as female, 14 out of 17 children were assigned female-identified themselves as
males. The rest identified itself as non-binary gender identities. The rate of depression and
anxiety among caregivers were elevated in nature, and it indicates that the well-being of
TGNC children can be effectively done in case of affirming and supportive familial
atmosphere. From the body of the literature, it can be stated that gender nonconforming is
one of the most impactful aspects among children during the transition phase from childhood

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to adolescence. This is because there are various factors that negatively affect the well-being
of those children. One of the most detrimental factors that have a negative impact on gender-
variant children is non-supportive nature of family. The family disgrace the child and most of
the time, it can be seen that the parent tries to hide the situation from the society by putting
tremendous pressure to act as per the norms of the society (Chen, Hidalgo & Garofalo, 2017).
The mental pressure demotivates the person and affects the psychological balance during the
crucial time of development. As a result, it can be evidently found in adulthood; thus, the
well-being of the individual is altered in a negative manner.
Generalization
From the critical review conducted from the existing studies, it was understood that
gender nonconforming is the social stigma, and thus, individuals are discriminated based on
this aspect. The generalizability is referred to as the extent to which the findings can be
studied and applied with respect to other settings. It requires internal validation and
judgmental studies in order to find the applicability of the study in a particular group.
However, it can be seen that clinical trials are poorly generalized in case of patient population
because there are rigid and label-based diagnostic criteria that are used in such cases (Jones et
al., 2017). From the studies, it can be stated that the social stigma and discrimination among
people with gender non-conforming is vast, especially in the case of developing counties.
This is because of the fact that the society in the developing countries is tradition because of
which the people are not able to accept the divergence. This result in the creation of pressure
upon the child to exhibit characteristics of gender assigned at birth. This is because they are
ashamed of the situation as the society is non-accepting in nature. This lead to a heavy toll
during the transition period from childhood to adolescence and the development stages are
being affected. Another reason that demonstrates the requirement of generalization in the
topic of gender-nonconforming is lack of interventional strategies (Medvedev et al., 2019).

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Due to various factors, the gender-nonconforming individuals are not given the status and
importance as other people in the society and thus, they are considered as a vulnerable group.
Due to social stigma, most of the cases have not been recorded that lead to inaccurate
identification in both developed and developing countries. The studies deliberately
highlighted the need for strategies to address the situation; however; no realistic measures
have been taken into consideration. Therefore, it is important to apply measures and
implement strategies from both governmental and non-governmental organizations, which
would allow in effective interventional planning.
The requirement of generalization is critical in this respect because it has a crucial
issue in the development stages of children. Kneale et al., (2019) opined that the development
of children both physically and mentally is vital for the health and well-being for adulthood.
The emotional, physical and social development to maximize future well-being. The
requirement of appropriate boundaries, behavior, social skills and empathy need to be learned
during these years that will help in life. However, imbalance during these times effect
degrades the quality of life. The mental status of child development is stated to be one of the
most vital aspects of human psychology because it has an impact on later years. The last
reason for the generalization of the study related to gender-nonconforming understands the
implications and factors that lead to detrimental influences on child development. As stated
by Couwenberg et al., (2019), child development is vital, and thus, a number of factors are
associated that stress on its significance. The gender nonconforming is caused due to a
number of factors and have a multifaceted impact on the physical, mental and social well-
being of children. Therefore, gaining an understanding of these elements will help in
planning mitigation strategies in various settings.
Conclusion

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From the essay, it can be concluded that gender nonconforming is a situation where a
person does not associate himself or herself with the assigned gender at birth and exhibit
characteristics and attitudes of the opposite gender. The previous studies have been evaluated
that help in gaining a critical overview of the scenario with respect to child development. It
was inferred from those studies that there is a wide disparity that can be found in the society
in term of accepting people that demonstrate characteristics related to the opposite gender.
The social stigma is responsible for creating discrimination; thus; negative affect the
development phases of children. Non-supportive parents and family members due to the
social stigma is another essential factor that affects the development of children in any
community setting. The four reasons that state the generalization of the studies is the impact
of social stigma need of interventional strategies, adverse effect of child development, and
gaining a vivid understanding of various elements of this topic.

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