Formation of Transgender Identities in Adolescence

Abstract

There is little information about the formation of transgender identities in adolescence. Diagnosis and treatment of transgender adolescents is often surrounded by confusion and controversy on the part of clinicians and family. This paper identifies some of the issues that arise in these treatments and offers some guidelines. The importance of understanding and embracing the diversities of outcomes of gender variant children is stressed, as is the concept of affirmative and adaptive treatment approaches for these children and their families, in order to foster more positive self-esteem and identity formation as these children become adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• gender atypical behavior
• cross-gender
• transsexual
• transgender
• adolescents
• mental health treatment

The author is Chair of the Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Issues Committee of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.