Sexual disorders - Gender identity disorder

Description

Gender is not identical to sex. The categorization of a person according to sex is relatively simple: someone is either male or female. Gender depends on whether someone is judged by himself or by others to be masculine or feminine. When gender and sex are not the same, this is called a gender identity disorder. People with this disorder often already know at a very young age that they 'have the wrong body'. Some girls want to be a boy and some boys want to be a girl. This last group is more common than the first group. Fortunately, this problem can nowadays be solved by a sex-change-operation in combination with taking hormones. Because there is a lot of resistance against this 'transformation' in some countries, the operation can not be done everywhere.

Remember a transvestite is not the same as transsexual. A transsexual likes to dress as a member of the opposite sex occasionally. A transsexual feels like someone of the other sex and wants to behave like someone of the other sexes permanently. Homosexuality is not directly related to trans sexuality. Transsexuals are often born 'straight'.

Normal

Young children like to discover things and are open to a lot of things. Girls sometimes play with typical 'male toys' such as cars or robots, whereas boys sometimes play with dolls. Parents are sometimes shocked by this behavior, although it is perfectly normal. Usually this behavior is over when people reach puberty.

Abnormal

When boys or girls have strong feelings of belonging to the other sex in puberty, there might exist a gender identity disorder. When parents react properly and with acceptance, a lot can be done to solve the problem. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.