ABSTRACT
The author diagrams and discusses theories of gender identity development espoused by the clinical groups represented in this special issue. She contends that theories of origin relate importantly to clinical practice, and argues that the existing clinical theories are under-developed. Therefore, the author develops a dynamic systems framework for gender identity development. Specifically, she suggests that critical aspects of presymbolic gender embodiment occur during infancy as part of the synchronous interplay of caregiver–infant dyads. By 18 months, a transition to symbolic representation and the beginning of an internalization of a sense of gender can be detected and consolidation is quite evident by three years of age. The author concludes by suggesting empirical studies that could expand and test this framework. With the belief that better, more explicit developmental theory can improve clinical practice, she urges that clinicians take a dynamic developmental view of gender identity formation into account.
