fei75766_ch07_206-241.indd 234  02/06/20 11:52 AM
Part II    Psychodynamic Theories234
Social Pressure to Conform to Typical Gender 
Identity
Gender atypical behavior challenges assumptions ofgender inmany cultures andat
many agesofdevelopment. It’snotjustparents whohavedifficulty inaccepting gen-
deratypical behavior. Young children between theagesof2and6tendtobevery
gender rigidandtendtohaveveryclear andstereotypical ideas about gender-specific 
toys,clothes, andactivities (Halim, 2016). Ingeneral, however, children become 
more flexible intheirviewofgender stereotypes astheymove through middle child -
hood (Halim, 2016). 
Pressure toconform togender typical rolesisstrong fromchildhood through 
adulthood. Adolescents usegender andgender typicality inchoosing friends (Kornienko 
etal.,2016). Preteens andteens whoidentify astransgender feelthese negative reactions 
ofother people quite strongly (Egan &Perry, 2001). Thestrong social andcultural pres-
suretoconform togender stereotypes creates much internal conflict intransgender indi-
viduals andultimately results inrelatively highlevels ofanxiety, depression, andsuicide 
(Alanko etal.,2009; Brinkman etal.,2014; Carver, Yunger, &Perry, 2003).
Forsome people, especially those whoareintense, consistent, andpersistent in
theiratypical identity, gender identity isnotsomething thatiseasytochange (Steensma 
etal.,2013). Thepersistence ofgender identity isalsoseenincases when boysare
raised andreassigned asgirlsduetoabnormal anatomical sexdevelopment. These 
“girls” often identify andbehave asboys(Meyer-Bahlburg, 2005; Saraswat etal.,2015). 
Forexample, David Reimer, aCanadian identical twinboy,hadamedically required 
circumcision seven months afterbirth. Thesurgery wentseriously awry, andhisgeni-
talsweresoseverely damaged thattheycould notbesalvaged  (Colapinto, 2001). 
Adoctor whobelieved gender wasprimarily asocial construction recommended sex
reassignment andthatDavid beraised asagirl.Sothatiswhat hisparents did.David 
wasraised asBrenda. Itwasn’t untilage14,however, when Brenda refused tocontinue 
toseethedoctor thatshewasinformed ofthesexreassignment surgery ininfancy. In
fact,byage9orsoBrenda hadbeenidentifying asmale andsoatage15wanted to
transition backtomale, which iswhat happened. Brenda became David.
Forothers, however, whoarelessconsistent andpersistent intheiratypical 
gender identity, theymaynotcontinue toidentify during orafterpuberty (Steensma 
etal.,2013). Infact,some studies report between two-thirds andthree-fourths of
those whoidentify atypically inchildhood nolonger doinadolescence (Steensma et
al.,2013; Wallien &Cohen-Kettenis, 2008). Forthem, gender identity ismore fluid
andchangeable.
Age of Gender Identity Disclosure and Social 
Networks
Erikson argued foridentity crises ateachandevery stage oflife,withadolescence 
being thefirstmajor conscious struggle withidentity. Clearly, people continue to
explore andsometimes struggle withtheiridentity intoadulthood aswell.Given 
thatatypical gender identity isnoteasily accepted bymany societies, onequestion 
becomes atwhat ageandtowhom arepeople comfortable inidentifying themselves asFinal PDF to printer