Gender identity refers to the recognition of one’s sex as either a female or a male. Gender is the public expression of an individual as either a male or a female by the virtue of the biological sex. The individuals are socially expected to identify their gender by the way they behave, perform the normal core activities, and also the mode of dressing. However, there are cases when individuals do not identify with their gender. In some cases, we find that an individual who is biologically a male is behaving like a female and rejects his actual gender of being a male. This condition is referred to as Gender identity disorder. It can be defined as a condition where the males or females get a strong identification with the opposite sex and they experience considerable agony because of their actual gender (Zucker 2005, p118). This condition generally affects children, adolescents, and also adults. Such individuals who suffer such conditions are said to have strong cross-gender identification.
The individuals usually believe that they are and they should be the opposite sex. They are usually not contented with their sexual organs and function and they get attempted to change their body structure. They are very uncomfortable with their sex and this may cause impairment in the functioning of the body. A small percentage of the individuals with GID turn out to be transsexual. This is the group that takes the responsibility of changing their physical appearance by the use of cosmetics and also an injection of hormones.
The cause of the GID is not known but it has been argued that it could be as a result of prenatal hormonal imbalance, genetic abnormalities, defects in normal human bonding, and child-rearing among others. It usually occurs at the age of 2 to 4. In adult males, gender identity disorder may be caused by the acceleration of the condition from childhood or early adolescence. It may also be a gradual transition of individuals with Transvestic Fetishism to cross-gender identity that is presented in the late adult hood (Wyndzen, 2008).
Gender identity disorder condition is diagnosed by a psychiatrist or a psychologist. A comprehensive medical history and psychological examination are performed to prove the conditions that are set for GID condition (Pheil, 2005). For the Diagnosis to take place there must be two main characteristics in the patient. There must be evidence of strong and persistent cross-gender identification. Such cross-gender identification must not be a desire for any cultural advantages of being the other sex. The individual must also depict signs of discomfort to the actual gender (Zucker 2005, p120). The diagnosis however can not be carried on if the patient has a physical intersex condition such as androgen insensitivity syndrome or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. For the diagnosis to takes place, there must also be evidence of clinically significant distress or impairment in social or occupational areas (Wyndzen, 2008).
In children, the condition of cross-gender identification is shown by the persistence of the wanting to be the other sex. It is more common in boys than girls. Children are expected to differentiate gender when they are young and identify themselves as either female or male. Having their parents around, the boys are supposed to identify the father figure and be proud to be boys hoping that one day they will grow to be a man. However, for the boys with the GID, they identify themselves with the mother and not their fathers, hoping that one day they will be girls (Archer, 2002, p32). They reject masculine play toys such as toy cars and balls and prefer the girls’ plat toys such as dolls and fashion articles related to beauty. They also reject their masculine clothes and have a preference for the dressing of the opposite sex clothes. When playing in-house games such boys prefer to play the feminine roles such as the mother (Pheil, 2005).
On the other hand, the girls are expected to be proud of their female gender and hope to be mothers someday. Female children with GID will always want to identify with the masculine gender. They often have the rejection of their female clothing and prefer the boy’s clothes. They always want their hair cut short and refuse any attempts to make up their hair. They are often mistaken for boys since they bring out a male figure.
They have little or no interest in dolls and other feminine play toys. They always want to be in the company of boys as their playmates. They fear that they will one day grow breasts and start menstruating (Wyndzen, 2008).
The discomfort with their sex organs can be manifested by rejection and disgust of their sex organs. The boys may insist on the removal of the penis in replacement of a vagina. They prefer sitting on the toilet and push their penis between the legs and pretend that they have a vagina instead of a penis. The girls on the other hand refuse to sit on the toilet and wish that they had a penis for urinating (Pheil, 2005). They may insist on standing when urinating instead of sitting on the toilet.
Adolescents with this condition are usually lonely and withdrawn from the rest of their colleagues. They are usually subjected to peer teasing and ridicule. Such adolescents may result in suicide attempts or even drug abuse. Adults with gender identity disorder are usually devoted to living as if they were the opposite of their actual gender. They get attempted to change their physical appearance by the use of hormones and surgical manipulation. They behave and dress like the other sex (Zucker 2005, p128). They are often withdrawn from social interactions and activities and end up being isolated with a feeling of depression and anxiety.
Gender identity disorders may be accompanied by other associated disorders such as separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, symptoms of depression, transvestic fetishism, androgen insensitivity syndrome, and congenital hyperplasia (Zucker 2005, p130).
GID can be treated through counseling and the use of a supportive system. As for children, it is recommended that they undergo individual and family counseling. They can be administered with hormone-blocking treatments until such children reach the puberty age when they have the legal ability to decide whether to commence on the cross-gender hormone treatments or withdraw the hormone-blocking treatments and continue with their biological gender(Wyndzen, 2008). In some cases, the treatment for GID is considered more favorable when the puberty stage is suppressed than when it is started at the younger stages. The suppression of puberty prevents the development of irreversible sex characteristics of unwanted sex. It is just considered as a support mechanism and not a final treatment (Pheil, 2005). Some individuals suffering from GID have tried to seek surgical surgery for sex reassignment at an early stage but this has been rejected by the medical physicians since they are considered not able of making a sensible decision before puberty. Such early surgical treatment is feared to result in regrets later in life and this may cause physical, psychological, and even social effects. In some cases, the physicians may administer early SR especially in adolescents who cannot be able to present themselves socially in their condition considering the onset of the development of the unwanted gender sex characteristics (Archer, 2002, p26). Performing the SR in the adult hood has also proved to be less effective than when it is done in the early stages. This is because it is always difficult for an individual to start living as a woman when he has been living as a man for the last phase of his life. Adults can be taken through individual or couples therapy. The counseling is normally directed to treating the associated problems of depression and anxiety. It also works to improve the self-esteem of individuals. Therapy is aimed at helping the individuals function well within their biological gender (Zucker, 2005, p116). In some cases, transsexual adults are injected with hormones and surgical treatments to suppress their biological sex characteristics and achieve those of the other opposite sex. The art of altering the individuals’ sex is referred to as, “Gender Reassignment Surgery.” (Pheil, 2005). Individuals must undergo extensive evaluation and transition period. The transition from male to female involves the administration of feminine hormones, removal of the penis, and the creation of an artificial vagina. Such procedures are usually sensitive since there are social implications that may affect the individuals later in their lives.
In conclusion, gender identity disorder needs to be treated early enough to avoid further complications as the individual grows. There is no specific treatment that is known to effectively treat gender identity disorders. Even though some of the boys who sufferer GID in their childhood are treated, they end up being homosexuals or bisexuals in adulthood. Lack of attention to such individuals may result in poor self-image, social isolation, and emotional suffering. It can also lead to severe depression and anxiety resulting in interference with the normal functioning of the individual’s body.
Works cited
Carol Tavris, Carole Wade (1999).Invitation to Psychology. Prentice Hall, p16-80.
John Archer, Barbara Lloyd. (2002).Sex and Gender.UK, Cambridge University Press, p25-78.
Madeline H.Wyndzen. (2008). All Mixed Up Perspectives on Transgenderism and ‘Gender Identity Disorder’. Web.
Tim and Andrea Pheil. (2005).Gender identity disorder sanctuary: Web.
Zucker, Kenneth and Susan Bradley (1995). Gender Identity Disorder and Psychosexual Problems in Children and Adolescents. Guilford Press, p115-280.