Differing gender diverse children have differing experiences with same- and other-gender peers

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Gender Studies
• Sociology

Background:

• Gender diversity is expressed in various ways, including feeling similar to the other gender, both genders, or neither.
• Understanding how these diverse gender experiences influence children's peer relationships is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if different patterns of gender diversity in children correlate with distinct peer relationship experiences.
• To compare the social experiences and beliefs about same- and other-gender peers among gender-diverse and gender-typical children.

Main Methods:

• A community sample of 884 children (mean age 9.04) was assessed.
• Gender diversity was categorized based on gender self-concepts: Own-Gender Similar (gender-typical), Both-Gender Similar, Cross-Gender Similar, and Low-Gender Similar.
• Peer relationship experiences and beliefs were compared across these gender diversity groups.

Main Results:

• Children's peer experiences aligned with their gender self-concepts, showing a "gender self-concept matching" effect.
• Children feeling similar to other-gender peers reported more positive interactions and inclusion with them.
• Children feeling similar to same-gender peers reported more positive interactions and inclusion with them.

Conclusions:

• Gender diversity in children is associated with varied and often positive peer relationship experiences.
• Children with Cross-Gender and Both-Gender Similar self-concepts may gain social benefits not typically experienced by gender-typical children.
• These findings highlight the strengths and variability within gender-diverse children's social development.