Gender variance
Gender variance or gender nonconformity is behavior or gender expression by an individual that does not match masculine or feminine gender norms. A gender-nonconforming person may be variant in their gender identity, being transgender or non-binary, or they may be cisgender. In the case of transgender people, they may be perceived, or perceive themselves as, gender-nonconforming before transitioning, but might not be perceived as such after transitioning. Transgender adults who appear gender-nonconforming after transition are more likely to experience discrimination.[1]
Social status for men vs. women[edit]
Gender nonconformity among people assigned male at birth is usually more strictly, and sometimes violently, policed in the West than is gender nonconformity among people assigned female at birth.[31] However, a spectrum of types of gender nonconformity exists among boys and men. Some types of gender nonconformity, such as being a stay-at-home father, may pass without comment whereas others, such as wearing lipstick and skirts, may attract stares, criticism, or questioning. Some cultures are more tolerant than others of such differences.[32]
This is a comparatively recent development in historical terms, because the dress and careers of women used to be more heavily policed,[33] and still are in countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia (where they are regulated by law.)[34][35] The success of second-wave feminism is the chief reason for the freedom of women in the West to wear traditionally-male clothing such as trousers, or to take up traditionally-male occupations such as being a medical doctor, etc. In the Soviet Union, women were allowed to take up traditionally male occupations such as construction work, but were paid less. Employers sometimes preferred women workers and sometimes male workers.[36] In some former Soviet countries, gender equality went into reverse after the collapse of the Soviet Union.[37]
Gender nonconforming transgender people in the United States have been demonstrated to have worse overall health outcomes than transgender individuals who identify as men or women.[38]
Gender-affirmative practices recognize and support an individual's unique gender self-identification and expression. Gender-affirmative practices are becoming more widely adopted in the mental and physical health fields in response to research showing that clinical practices that encourage individuals to accept a certain gender identity can cause psychological harm.[46] In 2015, the American Psychological Association published gender-affirmative practice guidelines for clinicians working with transgender and gender-nonconforming people. Preliminary research on gender-affirmative practices in the medical and psychological settings has primarily shown positive treatment outcomes.[47] As these practices become more widely used, longer-term studies and studies with larger sample sizes are needed to continue to evaluate these practices.
Research has shown that youth who receive gender-affirming support from their parents have better mental health outcomes than their peers who do not.[48]
Gender-affirmative practices emphasize gender health. Gender health is an individual's ability to identify as and express the gender(s) that feels most comfortable without the fear of rejection.[49] Gender-affirmative practices are informed by the following premises:[49]
Mental health practitioners have begun integrating the gender-affirmative model into cognitive behavioral therapy,[50] person-centered therapy,[51] and acceptance and commitment therapy.[5] While taking different approaches, each therapeutic modality may prove beneficial to gender-variant people looking to self-actualize, cope with minority stress, or navigate personal, social, and occupational issues across their lifespan.
Gender expectations, like other social norms, can vary widely by culture. A person may be seen as expressing an atypical gender role when their gender expression and activities differ from those usually expected in that culture. What is "typical" for one culture may be "atypical" for another. People from cultures who conceptualize gender as polar opposites on a binary, or having only two options, may see cultures with third gender people, or fluid gender expressions, and the people who live in these gender roles, as "atypical". Gender expressions that some cultures might consider "atypical" could include:
Recovery strategies[edit]
Recovery strategies are actions that gender non-conforming individuals take on due to encounters with backlash from society. These strategies can also be a result of fear, embarrassment, etc from the individual's friends and family.[58] Some examples of recovery strategies are hiding non-conforming behavior, conforming to gender norms, etc.[59]
In Laurie A. Rudman and Kimberly Fairchild (2004)[59] experiment participants were atypical men and women who were said to have more similarities and knowledge about the opposite atypical sex after taking a survey. In the experiments conducted the results showed that the participants who feared backlash because of the results were more likely to hide their non-conforming behavior or conform to the gendered norms.
Hiding non-conforming behavior means repressing the behavior going against gender norms. In J.M Brennan the change in gender identity of a non-conforming man or women can cause this hiding and concealment of the behavior.[60] This can be due to fear of the stigma being directed towards them causing concealment of their true identity.
Children in the LBGT+ community are seen to increase gender conformity in school settings due to pressure from peers.[61] This is due to the discrimination faced by LGBT+ individuals.[62]
