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Monday, September 09, 2013

Understanding Gender Nonconforming Children (Diane Rehm Show)

This segment of the Diane Rehm Show aired last Thursday (Sept. 5, 2013), and although it has taken me a few days to get it posted, it's a good show. Andrew Solomon's book,  Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity (2012) is worth the read even if you have no interest in transgender children.

Understanding Gender Nonconforming Children

Guest Host: Susan Page

Thursday, September 5, 2013 
 
This undated publicity image released by Broadway Books shows author Lori Duron, right, and her son, the inspiration for Duron's book "Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son," at their California home.  - (AP Photo/Broadway Books)
This undated publicity image released by Broadway Books shows author Lori Duron, right, and her son, the inspiration for Duron's book "Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son," at their California home. (AP Photo/Broadway Books)

Throughout history, there have always been people who defied gender norms. Research shows gender identity is formed in early childhood. Kids as young as 2 or 3 years old can already show strong preferences to play with and dress like the opposite gender. Girls who want to play sports and wear pants are mostly accepted as “tomboys” but boys who want to play with dolls or dress in pink and purple face a tougher road. They are often bullied by peers and rejected by parents and relatives. A few of these children will grow into transgender adults where they will face more disapproval, even as society becomes more open. Guest host Susan Page and a panel of experts discuss gender nonconforming children and the challenges they present for parents and schools. 

Guests

  • Lori Duron: writer, consultant and blogger; author of "Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son."
  • Andrew Solomon: writer and lecturer on psychology, politics and the arts; author of "Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity."
  • Dr. Edgardo Menvielle: psychiatrist and director of gender nonconforming youth program, Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
  • Allyson Robinson: transgender advocate and consultant. 

Read An Excerpt

Excerpted from "Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative" by Lori Duron. Copyright © 2013 by Lori Duron. Published by Broadway Books, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company. 

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