Children's Appraisals of Gender Nonconformity: Developmental Pattern and Intervention

Child Dev. 2020 Jul;91(4):e780-e798. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13316. Epub 2019 Oct 24.

Abstract

Gender-nonconforming (GN) children are often perceived less positively, which may harm their well-being. We examined the development of such perceptions and an intervention to modify them. Chinese children's appraisals were assessed using multiple measures (verbal responses, sharing, and rank order task) after viewing vignettes of gender-conforming (GC) and GN hypothetical peers. In Study 1, children (N = 210; 4-, 5-, 8-, and 9-year-olds) were less positive toward GN than GC peers, especially if they were older or if the peers were boys. In Study 2 (N = 211, 8- and 9-year-olds), showing children exemplars of GN peers who displayed positive and GC characteristics subsequently reduced bias against gender nonconformity. These findings inform strategies aimed at reducing bias against gender nonconformity.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peer Group
  • Prejudice*
  • Social Behavior
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires