At what age does a child understand gender identity?

Your child may have questions about gender identity at any stage of life:

What is Gender Dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is a deeply personal and often distressing experience that arises when there is a mismatch between a person’s assigned gender at birth and their authentic gender identity. It is commonly experienced by individuals who identify as transgender, non-binary, or otherwise outside the traditional gender binary. While not all gender-diverse individuals experience dysphoria, for many, it can significantly impact mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Gender Dysphoria Meaning

The meaning of gender dysphoria centers on the persistent discomfort, distress, or unease caused by the incongruence between how a person feels internally and the gender roles or physical traits assigned to them at birth. It is important to note that gender dysphoria is not a mental illness; rather, it is a recognized medical condition by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization. The focus in treatment and support is not on “fixing” the identity, but on alleviating the distress caused by this misalignment.

Signs and Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria

The signs of gender dysphoria can vary widely between individuals. While experiences are unique, some common indicators include:

• Persistent discomfort or dissatisfaction with one’s assigned gender or sex characteristics.
• A strong desire to live as or be recognized as a different gender.
• Emotional distress when referred to by pronouns, names, or gendered language that does not align with one’s gender identity.
• An intense longing for gender-affirming treatments such as hormone therapy or surgeries to align the body with one’s gender identity.
• Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, or low self-esteem related to gender incongruence.

How to Support Someone with Gender Dysphoria

Providing support for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria begins with understanding, compassion, and respect. Even small actions can make a meaningful difference in someone’s well-being. Here are some key ways to offer support:

1. Educate Yourself

Take time to learn about gender identity, gender dysphoria, and the experiences of transgender and non-binary individuals. The more informed you are, the better you’ll understand the challenges they may face—and the more effectively you can offer empathy and support.

2. Use Correct Names and Pronouns

Respect a person’s chosen name and pronouns. These are fundamental aspects of affirming someone’s gender identity. Misgendering, even unintentionally, can cause deep emotional harm. When unsure, ask respectfully and use their preferences consistently.

3. Create Safe, Inclusive Spaces

Whether at home, school, work, or in public, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment makes a big difference. Promote open conversations about gender diversity and be proactive in challenging discrimination, bullying, or exclusion.

4. Encourage Professional Support

Some individuals with gender dysphoria benefit from speaking with trained professionals such as gender therapists, LGBTQ+-affirming counselors, or medical specialists. Supportive therapy can help individuals process their experiences, explore transition options, or simply find validation and clarity.

5. Advocate for Gender Inclusion

Be an ally. Stand up for the rights of transgender and non-binary people by supporting inclusive policies, language, healthcare access, and visibility. Advocacy contributes to reducing stigma and fostering equality.

A Path Toward Understanding and Acceptance

Living with gender dysphoria can be incredibly challenging, but also deeply affirming when individuals are able to live as their true selves. Society plays a crucial role in reducing the distress that comes with gender incongruence. By listening, learning, and respecting gender diversity, we take an active role in creating a world where everyone is free to express who they are—without fear, shame, or limitation.

Recognizing the emotional and psychological reality of gender dysphoria—and providing meaningful support—empowers individuals to thrive. Whether you’re experiencing dysphoria yourself or seeking to support someone who is, your compassion, acceptance, and voice matter.

Gender identity

Gender identity, gender expression and non-binarity

Not all children feel like boys or girls, and not all adults feel like men or women. That's what gender identity is. Gender identity describes how someone feels about their body. This is independent of biological sex. Biological sex is the sexual organs that a person is born with. Also, some people are born with biological gender differences. After giving birth, it is not always clear whether it will be a boy or a girl. This is also called intersex. Gender expression refers to how one expresses one's gender identity. This has to do with how someone dresses or behaves, for example. This could be a 'typical girl' or a 'typical boy', but all variations are possible.

Important Gender Dysphoria Terms:

• Cisgender: Describes a person whose gender identity in the traditional sense matches the gender assigned at birth.
• Gender Diversity: An umbrella term for any individual with gender identity and/or expression, including multiple genders or no gender-identifying individuals.
• Gender dysphoria: A concept identified in DSM-5-TR as clinically significant distress or impairment associated with gender incongruity. Not all transgender or gender-diverse people suffer from gender dysphoria.
• Gender expression: the outward expression of a person’s gender. It may or may not reflect your inner gender identity based on traditional expectations. Gender expression includes appearance, clothing, accessories, grooming, voice and speech, speech habits, and physical characteristics.
• Gender Identity: An individual’s internal sense of being something else, including girl/woman, boy/man, a combination of both, or having no gender at all. This corresponds to the gender assigned at birth. It may or may not match.
• Non-binary: A term used by some people whose gender identity is neither girl/woman nor boy/man.
• Birth-assigned sex/sex: Anatomical structures (e.g., external and/or internal reproductive organs). ) and/or other biological factors (eg, gender). chromosome). “Gender” and “sex” are often used interchangeably, but they are different things. It is best to distinguish between gender, gender identity, and gender expression and avoid making assumptions about a person about any of these characteristics based on the knowledge of others. This is known as AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth). Or it is sometimes abbreviated as AMAB (Assigned Male at Birth).
• Sexual orientation: Describes the type of people to whom a person is emotionally, physically, and/or romantically attracted.
• Transgender: Inclusive of people whose gender identity does not match their birth gender in the traditional sense. term. It can also be used to refer to a person whose gender identity is binary and not traditionally associated with one assigned at birth.

Discover your gender

Identity, expression, attraction and sex

Gender is something everyone thinks they understand, but for most it's complicated. Gender is not binary, it is not either/or. Often it is and/and. A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

People are often hesitant to ask questions about sexuality and gender in surveys. What if I say the wrong thing or use the wrong terminology? What if I offend someone? These are understandable concerns.