Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children

Gender Born, Gender Made is a comprehensive guidebook for the parents and therapists of children who do not identify with or behave according to their biological gender. Drawing on the case histories of several children, each "gender creative" in his or her own way, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft offers concrete strategies for understanding and supporting children who experience confusion about their gender identities. She also discusses the latest therapeutic advancements available to gender-variant children. Traditionally, psychologists have sought to "cure" gender variance by pressuring children to conform to typical gender behavior. From her perspective as both clinician and parent of a gender creative child, Dr. Ehrensaft advocates a new approach, encouraging caregivers to support gender-variant children as they explore their gender identities. Rather than offering a "cure" for gender variance, Gender Born, Gender Made facilitates improved understanding and communication about gender identity.

Diane Ehrensaft, PhD, is a developmental and clinical psychologist and the author of numerous books and articles on child development, gender, and parenting. For the past twenty-five years, she has worked with gender-nonconforming children and their families, as well as speaking nationally and internationally on the topic in media presentations, in communities, and at professional conferences. She lives and works in Oakland, California.