Kids who veer from gender norms at higher risk for abuse
By Madison Park, CNN
updated 7:15 AM EST, Mon February 20, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/20/health/child-gender-nonconformity/index.htmlBerkeley, California (CNN) -- When a boy struts in a tutu or a girl dons boxer shorts, it makes grown-ups nervous. It's one of the first lessons kids who are gender nonconforming learn.
Mich is biologically female, but didn't identify as a girl. As a child, Mich insisted on having boy-cut short hair, shunned all things pink and refused to play with dolls or wear dresses.
At age 3, "I told my mom I wanted to be a boy," said Mich, who requested to be identified by first name only. "And, throughout the years, I learned that saying that was not right ... and so, you hide this part of yourself. But you still know something's up. The problem with kids is that they don't have the language to say it, but they know."
