Identity-Defense Model of Gender-Variant Development

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article presents a comprehensive model to explain the development of the various manifestations of gender variance amongst birth-assigned males and females. As background, two previous theories of gender-variance development proposed by Richard Docter and Ray Blanchard are introduced. The model presented in this article is called the identity-defense model of gender-variance development because it has two parts. Firstly, biological factors and early childhood influences determine whether and to what degree a gender-variant identity develops. Secondly, personality and environment factors determine whether defense mechanisms are used to repress the gender variance. If defense mechanisms are used, then the resultant outcome is either a nonclassical transsexual or cross-dresser, depending on the degree of gender variance. If defense mechanisms are not used, then classical transsexuals or drag artists are the likely outcomes, again depending on the level of the gender variance. Sexual orientation and cross-gender eroticism are strongly correlated with the gender-variant outcomes in the model, and this is explained in the model using Bem's (1996)exotic becomes erotic developmental theory of sexual orientation.