[PDF][PDF] Cross-sex wishes and gender identity disorder in children: A reply to Zucker (2002)
NH Bartlett, PL Vasey, WM Bukowski - Sex roles, 2003 - academia.edu
NH Bartlett, PL Vasey, WM Bukowski
Sex roles, 2003•academia.eduIn his review of our paper entitled “Is Gender Identity Disorder in Children a Mental
Disorder?”(Bartlett, Vasey, & Bukowski, 2000), Zucker (2002) noted a factual correction
pertaining to our interpretation of Table 36.2 in Zucker (2000, p. 677). Although we regret the
error on our part, we believe that a correct reading of the table in question does not change
or weaken our conclusion, as Zucker implies; to the contrary, a correct reading actually
supports our argument and highlights a concern with Zucker's interpretation of the data …
Disorder?”(Bartlett, Vasey, & Bukowski, 2000), Zucker (2002) noted a factual correction
pertaining to our interpretation of Table 36.2 in Zucker (2000, p. 677). Although we regret the
error on our part, we believe that a correct reading of the table in question does not change
or weaken our conclusion, as Zucker implies; to the contrary, a correct reading actually
supports our argument and highlights a concern with Zucker's interpretation of the data …
In his review of our paper entitled “Is Gender Identity Disorder in Children a Mental Disorder?”(Bartlett, Vasey, & Bukowski, 2000), Zucker (2002) noted a factual correction pertaining to our interpretation of Table 36.2 in Zucker (2000, p. 677). Although we regret the error on our part, we believe that a correct reading of the table in question does not change or weaken our conclusion, as Zucker implies; to the contrary, a correct reading actually supports our argument and highlights a concern with Zucker’s interpretation of the data presented. Zucker stated that the verbalized wish to be the other sex occurs in a majority of cases (76.1%), and not in only a minority, as we reported in our paper. Although we concur with this statement, Zucker’s presentation and interpretation of this data are tangential with regard to the issue of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) for GID in children. Given that Zucker framed his discussion within the context of this very issue, several points deserve further commentary.
As outlined in the DSM-IV, for a diagnosis of GID in children, there must be a “strong and persistent cross-gender identification.” In children, one manifestation of this “disturbance” is the individual’s “repeatedly stated desire to be, or insistence that he or she is, the other sex.” To arrive at the conclusion that the majority (76.1%) of gender-referred children, including those with a diagnosis of GID,
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