Children and gender identity: Supporting your child

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Children and gender identity: Supporting your child

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/children-and-gender-identity-supporting-your-child/ar-AA1adDye?cvid=1b4e29ad8a9f4878ac62d4d7428e6aa4&ei=4

Mayo Clinic (May 2023)

What are the basics of gender identity?
Sex assigned at birth is typically made based on external genital anatomy. But gender identity is the internal sense of being male, female, or a gender along the spectrum between male and female. People communicate their gender to others through gender expression.

Is my child transgender?
Children who are transgender have a gender identity that doesn't match their assigned sex at birth.
Most children between ages 18 and 24 months can recognize and label gender groups. They may identify others as girls, women or feminine. Or they may label others as boys, men or masculine. Most also label their own gender by the time they reach age 3.

How can I support a transgender child or a child who doesn't conform to assigned sex at birth?
Listen to your child's feelings about gender identity. Talk to your child and ask questions without judgment.

What is social transitioning?
A social transition is a reversible step in which a child lives partially or completely in the preferred gender role. This can involve changing hairstyles, clothing, pronouns and, possibly, names. Limited research suggests that social transitioning might help ease depression or anxiety a child may have about gender identity.