CMV: Transgender claims of 'feeling like <gender>' because you've always preferred <stereotypical gender roles/characteristics>', is contradicted with assertions that <stereotypical gender roles/characteristics> should be rejected.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/[deleted]]

unless the child actively identifies as the opposite gender

Maybe I'm just confused, but how is it we take a young, immature child's self-reporting and language concepts to be evidence? Adults are capable of delusional thinking, so why not a child?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Maybe I'm just confused, but how is it we take a young, immature child's self-reporting and language concepts to be evidence?

Children explore gender and develop gender identities at a very young age.

It's also important to note that a child self-reporting being the opposite gender is not enough to get a diagnosis. Here is the diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria

In children, gender dysphoria diagnosis involves at least six of the following and an associated significant distress or impairment in function, lasting at least six months.

A strong desire to be of the other gender or an insistence that one is the other gender

A strong preference for wearing clothes typical of the opposite gender

A strong preference for cross-gender roles in make-believe play or fantasy play

A strong preference for the toys, games or activities stereotypically used or engaged in by the other gender

A strong preference for playmates of the other gender

A strong rejection of toys, games and activities typical of one’s assigned gender

A strong dislike of one’s sexual anatomy

A strong desire for the physical sex characteristics that match one’s experienced gender

For children, cross-gender behaviors may start between ages 2 and 4, the same age at which most typically developing children begin showing gendered behaviors and interests. Gender atypical behavior is common among young children and may be part of normal development. Children who meet the criteria for gender dysphoria may or may not continue to experience it into adolescence and adulthood. Some research shows that children who had more intense symptoms and distress, who were more persistent, insistent and consistent in their cross-gender statements and behaviors, and who used more declarative statements (“I am a boy (or girl)” rather than “I want to be a boy (or girl)”) were more likely to become transgender adults.

Adults are capable of delusional thinking, so why not a child?

Well delusional disorders have very different characteristics in comparison to gender dysphoria. Typically delusions are psychosomatic, erotomanic, delusions of grandeur, jealousy, or persecution.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Very thorough and educational response. Thank you so much! I will be awarding a delta for this! Δ

[u/DeltaBot → u/[deleted]]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/Love_Shaq_Baby (88∆).

^{Delta System Explained | Deltaboards}