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Commentary on Langer and Martin’s (2004) “How Dresses Can Make You Mentally Ill: Examining Gender Identity Disorder in Children”

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Abstract

Langer and Martin’s (2004) essay on the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder in Children (GIDC) is the most recent addition to a literature of critics. Although many of Langer and Martin’s criticisms have been raised by others, elements of their essay are novel. In this commentary, I attempt to counter some of their criticisms with a more detailed explication of the theoretical, research, and clinical literature on GID in children.

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  1. Gender Identity Service, Child, Youth, and Family Programme, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., M5T 1R8, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Kenneth J. Zucker Ph.D.

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Correspondence to Kenneth J. Zucker Ph.D..

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Kenneth J. Zucker is Head, Gender Identity Service, Child, Youth, and Family Programme at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. He is also the Psychologist-in-Chief at CAMH and Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Toronto.

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Zucker, K.J. Commentary on Langer and Martin’s (2004) “How Dresses Can Make You Mentally Ill: Examining Gender Identity Disorder in Children”. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 23, 533–555 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-006-0074-5

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