Gender identity disorders of boys: A review

Two childhood syndromes are distinguished, namely gender-role disturbance and cross-gender identification. Assessment procedures are reported with emphasis on strict diagnostic criteria and awareness of the culture-relative aspects of masculinity and femininity. Success of therapeutic intervention is evaluated, and reservations about such intervention are noted. The evidence for the rationale underlying treatment is examined. While one cannot state categorically that gender disorders in children, if untreated, invariably lead to such adult problems as transsexualism, transvestism and homosexuality, the available evidence points in that direction. Because of the accompanying psychological problems in childhood and the poor outcome of therapy with gender-disturbed adults, it would appear that early intervention is desirable for those children who have been diagnosed as gender-disturbed.