ABSTRACT
Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood (GIDC) is an age-related subcategory of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) of adulthood. The primary features of the former diagnosis are a “strong and persistent cross-gender identification” and “persistent discomfort with one’s assigned sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex”. Theories regarding the etiology of GIDC tend to focus either on biological or psychological factors or a combination of the two. In the biological realm, the etiology of GIDC is attributed to either genetic or prenatal hormonal influences. In the psychological realm, social learning, psychoanalytic, and relational theories have been used singly and in combination. Gender nonconforming children, especially boys, commonly encounter increasing problems with peers. They may also be rejected or abused by their own families. One of the greatest concerns of authors recommending clinical intervention for children with GID is that such children will develop adult GID.
