“I'm a Prius”: A Child Case of a Gender/Ethnic Hybrid

Abstract

This article presents the treatment of a young gender nonconforming boy caught in the cross-fire of a gender and cultural warfare between his divorced parents. D.G., of mixed Mexican/American heritage, went through a course of therapy which is presented to illustrate the fluidity of a child's gender identity and expressions and the need to take a developmental approach that allows for the unfolding of a child's authentic gender self over time. The paper also emphasizes the importance of taking family effects into account as a child attempts to negotiate his or her authentic gender amidst parental responses and pressures.