Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children (eBook)

Gender Born, Gender Made is a comprehensive guidebook for the parents and therapists of children who do not identify with or behave according to their biological gender. Drawing on the case histories of several children, each 'gender creative' in his or her own way, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft offers concrete strategies for understanding and supporting children who experience confusion about their gender identities. She also discusses the latest therapeutic advancements available to gender-variant children. Traditionally, psychologists have sought to 'cure' gender variance by pressuring children to conform to typical gender behavior. From her perspective as both clinician and parent of a gender creative child, Dr. Ehrensaft advocates a new approach, encouraging caregivers to support gender-variant children as they explore their gender identities. Rather than offering a 'cure' for gender variance, Gender Born, Gender Made facilitates improved understanding and communication about gender identity.

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A groundbreaking guide to caring for children who live outside binary gender boxesWe are only beginning to understand gender. Is it inborn or learned? Can it be chosen-or even changed? Does it have to be one or the other? These questions may seem abstract-but for parents whose children live outside of gender "e;norms,"e; they are very real.No two children who bend the "e;rules"e; of gender do so in quite the same way. Felicia threw away her frilly dresses at age three. Sam hid his interest in dolls and "e;girl things"e; until high school-when he finally confided his desire to become Sammi. And seven-year-old Maggie, who sports a boys' basketball uniform and a long blond braid, identifies as "e;a boy in the front, and a girl in the back."e; But all gender-nonconforming children have one thing in common-they need support to thrive in a society that still subscribes to a binary system of gender.Dr. Diane Ehrensaft has worked with children like Felicia, Sam, and Maggie for over 30 years. In Gender Born, Gender Made, she offers parents, clinicians, and educators guidance on both the philosophical dilemmas and the practical, daily concerns of working with children who don't fit a "e;typical"e; gender mold. She debunks outmoded approaches to gender nonconformity that may actually do children harm. And she offers a new framework for helping each child become his or her own unique, most gender-authentic person.