Editorial: Let's talk about sex - the gender binary revisited.

Area of Science:

• Child psychology and psychiatry
• Sociocultural studies
• Gender studies

Background:

• Sex and gender are frequently included as covariates in child psychology research.
• Observed sex differences in children often lead to postulations of underlying mechanisms.
• Empirical validation of these proposed explanatory variables is often lacking.

Discussion:

• A deeper focus on the specific agents driving gender differences is needed.
• Changeable processes underlying gender differences may offer potential prevention targets.
• The binary classification of gender in research inadequately represents its multidimensional nature.

Key Insights:

• Moving beyond broad sex/gender categories to examine specific mechanisms is crucial.
• Identifying modifiable factors contributing to gender differences can inform interventions.
• The limitations of the gender binary in research necessitate more nuanced approaches.

Outlook:

• Future research should prioritize dissecting the specific sociocultural and psychological mechanisms behind observed sex differences in children.
• Developing research methodologies that capture the complexity and diversity within gender categories is essential.
• This approach can lead to more targeted and effective interventions in child psychology and psychiatry.