Children construct their conceptions of gender at an early age. At about 24 months, they begin to define themselves as either a “boy” or a “girl” (Kohlberg, 1966). About one percent of children do...Show moreChildren construct their conceptions of gender at an early age. At about 24 months, they begin to define themselves as either a “boy” or a “girl” (Kohlberg, 1966). About one percent of children do not feel at home in their birth genders to varying degrees and in different ways. What are the effects of parental emotions and parental gender stereotype concerning the parents and the social transitioning that children are undergoing to conform to their preferred gender? The current research investigated to what extent children’s social transition status mediates the relationship between the psychosocial functioning of children and their parents’ emotional response to gender(variance) and gender stereotyping. The results showed that children undergoing a complete social transition differ significantly from children undergoing an incomplete social transition, but only in terms of their parents’ emotional response to gender(variance). Second, the research considered whether the psychosocial functioning of children can be predicted based upon their parents’ emotional response toward gender(variance) and their gender stereotyping. The study also investigated whether children’s social transition status mediates a possible correlation. The results showed that the parents’ gender stereotyping rather than the children’s social transition status determines the psychosocial functioning of transitioning children. To support these children as much as possible in their search for identity, it is important that research examine the short- and long-term factors that influence psychosocial functioning in the development of children. It is especially important to follow children longer to investigate whether the various variables change over time and, if so, how they change.Show less
