For instance, in the previously described longitudinal study by Green (1985), the majority of the gender-nonconforming boys – including many who repeatedly voiced wanting to be a girl – were classified as homosexual or bisexual at follow-up. What complicates addressing these treatment concerns is that GID in childhood often subsides by adulthood, and many homosexual men recall exhibiting gender-atypical behavior as boys ( Bailey and Zucker, 1995 Zucker et al., 2006b).
2D 4D RATIO PROFESSIONAL
Consequently, conversations in both the public and professional forum over what interventions primary caregivers and mental health professions should provide to children have become extremely contentious. Where some suggest that children with GID must be actively treated to make their gender identity congruent with their birth sex (e.g., Zucker, 2001), others believe that children should be allowed to freely express themselves and begin the process of transitioning ( Johnson, 2008 Reed, 2006). This is a difficult question to address because the relationship between these early behaviors and later development is unclear.Īt this time, there is no empirically supported treatment for children with GID, and professionals must use their clinical judgment when devising a care plan. One question that is addressed in public discussions related to childhood gender nonconformity is whether a parent should encourage or discourage the behavior. Is this an early sign of transsexualism? This topic has received recent media attention, which seems to be increasing public awareness of GID and transsexualism. However, some mixed results were found in a sample of Korean transsexuals ( Zucker et al., 2006a).Īs discussed earlier, some children will exhibit gender-atypical interests and behaviors. Interestingly, most of the reports show that the trend can be seen in transsexuals who would be characterized as primary transitioners and not the secondary transitioners ( Blanchard et al., 1996 Blanchard and Sheridan, 1992 Poasa et al., 2004). Given the relationship found between fraternal birth order and male homosexuality, some research has examined whether a birth-order effect is present among transsexuals. Furthermore, a subsequent study focused on both children and adults with a cross-sex identity found no difference (Wallien et al., 2008).
268) concluded that their data “strongly support a role for biological factors in the etiology of transsexualism,” this claim seemed premature given the inconsistencies found in 2D:4D studies with homosexual samples and given the uncertain significance of finger length ratio. However, FtM transsexuals did not differ from heterosexual females. (2006) found that heterosexual females, FtM transsexuals, and MtF transsexuals all had more feminized 2D:4D ratios than heterosexual men. When controlling for handedness, Schneider et al. To date, two studies focusing on 2D:4D ratio in adult transsexuals have been published. Vilain, in Hormones, Brain and Behavior (Second Edition), 2009 4.60.3.3.2 Correlational studiesĪs with sexual orientation, attempts have been made to find correlations between different traits among transsexuals. Studies indicate that differences in 2D:4D ratio are associated with levels of aggression, occupational interests, major psychiatric illness, and the incidence of pain. The digit ratios are computed by dividing the (mean) length of the index finger by the (mean) length of the ring finger for each hand. To avoid bias, at least two people, double-blinded, independently measure the lengths of the index (second digit: 2D) and ring fingers (fourth digit: 4D). Measurement of finger length ratio is typically made by scanning the hands and drawing a line from the top of each finger to the middle of the lowest crease of the finger. These effects are sexually dimorphic, as females tend to have a higher 2D:4D ratio than males. While a lower 2D:4D indicates a higher level of prenatal testosterone exposure, a higher ratio reflects a lower exposure to testosterone (ie, higher estrogen exposure). 2D:4D is established in-utero by the 13th or 14th week postconception, and it demonstrates substantial stability over the lifetime. 11.9) similar to the use of aniogenital distance in rodents (see mini-chapter: Organizational Influences of the Gonadal Steroid Hormones: Lessons Learned Through the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis). The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is frequently used as a marker of prenatal androgen exposure (See Fig.
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