Gender Identity Disorder and Psychosexual Problems in Children and Adolescents - Research Paper Example

 Gender Identity Disorder and Psychosexual Problems in Children and Adolescents Introduction Gender identity means a person’s basic sense or feeling of self as male or female. At the time of birth, gender identity may not be prominent in the development of the child. But as time passes, the child recognizes his/her gender identity. The recognition of the child about in which gender he/she belongs to, may depend on many biological and psychological factors. Any problems caused in the gender perception may result in gender identity disorders. Gender identity disorder is one of the most worrying disorders not only for the children, but for the adults as well. It is a disorder in which a child or adult get confused about his/her gender, sometimes because of some biological reasons and sometimes because of some psychological reasons or misconceptions. Gender identity disorders can lead to psychosexual problems. Psychosexual problems mean “the inability to become sexually aroused or achieve sexual satisfaction in the appropriate situations because of mental or emotional (also known as psychological) reasons” (Safer). A person with psychosexual problems may not have any physical problems, specific illnesses, or medication side effects which cause this problem. On the other hand psychological problems or biological problems might be the reasons for the psychosexual problems. This paper briefly analyses gender identity disorders and psychosexual problems in children and adolescents using the secondary published sources. Gender Identity Disorder Gender identity disorders are often neglected by the parents and even by some doctors. In some cases the pediatrician may advice the parents that the gender identity problems may vanish at some point of time and nothing to worry in that. It is a totally wrong conception. Like all the other physical and psychological problems gender identity disorders also should be treated. Some of the common symptoms of gender identity problems are cross dressing, cross gender play lack of same sex friends etc. In other words, a boy with gender identity problem may like dress like females whereas a girl with gender identity problem might dress like boys. Same way the boy with gender identity problem might play with girls and he likes the company of the girls very much. On the other hand, the girls with the above problem may play with boys and will try to make more friends from the boy community. In most of the cases, the children or adolescents with gender identity problem might have the realization that they are actually boys or girls and their desire to achieve the company of the opposite sex is not a socially accepted thing. Because of the clashes between their psychological need and social need, children with gender identity problem might by unhappy and depressed. If they engage in homosexual activity as adolescents, they are more likely than boys who do not to be involved in drug and alcohol abuse or prostitution; to attempt suicide; or to contract a sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV/AIDS; or to develop a serious psychological problem as an adult. A small number of these boys will become transvestites or transsexuals (Fitzgibbons) A person feels good only when his identity is established in the society. In the case of people with gender identity disorder, social acceptance might be less because these people often try to do things against the norms of the society. For example, a boy with gender identity problem might try to dress like the girls and speak like the girls which are unacceptable to the society. They may face severe harassment and bullying from the peers. Psychological development is possible only when a person feels good. In the above case, because of the fear of harassment from the peers, the person with gender identity problem might try to avoid the company of the peers. Socializing is the much needed entity for psychological developments. Gender identity disorders are more prominent among boys than in girls. Early interventions using psychological therapies can reduce the gender identity problems up to certain extent. These treatments can help the patient to identify his gender properly and to behave accordingly. Miller (2000) has mentioned that “adults who have severe gender identity disorder which has persisted for many years sometimes request reassignment of their sex, or sex-change surgery” (Miller). If the gender identity problems were not treated properly it can intensify when the child grow up. It is difficult for our society to accept an adult with gender identity problems and hence it is better for the adult to undergo reassignment of sex through surgery. If an adult persist with his/her gender identity problems, definitely, he or she may face psychosexual problems during his/her adulthood. Psychosexual Problems According to Zucker and Bradley(1995), sex means attributes such as sex determining genes, sex chromosomes sex determining antigen, sex hormones, internal sex reproductive systems, the external genitalia etc, that collectively characterize biological maleness and femaleness (Zucker and Bradley, p.2). Moreover, according to Diane A. Safer, PhD (2004), symptoms of sex disorder for men are; Not able to keep an erection, Ejaculations are premature (occur too soon), Ejaculations do not occur, Not able to become aroused when appropriately stimulated, Not able to achieve orgasm, Inhibited sexual desire etc whereas that for women are; Not able to become aroused when appropriately stimulated, Not able to achieve orgasm, Inhibited sexual desire, Vaginismus—an unconscious spasm (seizure) or tightening of the muscles around the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse, Experiencing pain during sex, Dry vagina etc (Safer). A person with gender identity problem may experience all or some of the above psychosexual problems. It should be remembered that all the above sexual problems mentioned above are related to psychological disorders rather than any physical defects. Many people have the belief that sex is for deriving physical pleasure. But in fact sex is meant for psychological pleasure as well. It is difficult for two persons to engage in sexual activities if either of them has lack the right frame of mind for the sexual activities. In other words, sexual pleasure can be derived only if both the parties involved in the sexual activities love each other and like the company of the other. Research by Dr. Julius Hallervorden and Dr. Sigfried Handloser discovered differences in neurological tissues that seem to be responsible for producing sexual dysfunction in humans. He correctly theorized that the same abnormality leading to homosexual disorder also caused other sexual dysfunction (Weber).  Even though the exact reasons for gender identity disorder is still unknown, many psychologists and medical practitioners believe that apart from psychological reasons, some physical reasons also contributing to the gender identity disorder. In their opinion, people with gender identity disorder may have some neurological tissues of the opposite sex which encourage them to reassign their sex and identity. Conclusions Gender identity disorder is more prevalent among boys than in girls. It is possible to reduce the problems associated with gender identity disorder up to certain extent, if the person gets an early treatment. Psychological treatments are mostly used to make the person aware of his correct gender. If not treated properly, gender identity disorders can lead to psychosexual problems to the gender identity disordered person. The adult life of the gender identity disordered people might not be a success because of their failure in their sexual life. Gender identity disorders and the subsequent psychosexual problems can create physical, mental and social problems to the person and hence such problems should be addressed as early as possible in order to avoid future consequences. Works Cited 1. Fitzgibbons, Richard P., M.D. 2008. “Gender Identity Disorder in Children”. National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). 27 July 2010. 2. Miller, John L., M.D., 2000. “Gender Identity Disorder”. 27 July 2010. 3. Safer, Diane, A., PhD. 2004. “Psychosexual Dysfunction”. EBSCO Publishing. 27 July 2010. 4. Dr. Weber, Carl J. “Treatment of Psychosexual Disorders”. 27 July 2010. 5. Zucker, Kenneth J. & Bradley, Susan J. 1995. “Gender Identity Disorder and Psychosexual Problems in Children and Adolescents”. Guilford Press, 1995 Read More