SummaryThe phenomenon of atypical gender identity in adolescents and adults, in diagnostic classifications called gender identity disorder -transsexualism (ICD-10) or gender dysphoria (DSM-5), arouses interest among research communities both in Poland and elsewhere. At the same time, much less attention is paid to the same phenomenon occurring in childhood, leaving a gap of potential significance to a wide range of specialists including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, pediatricians and social workers. The aim of this paper is to provide a synthesis and present the current state of knowledge about children with atypical gender identity and their families. Available data pertaining to etiology, psychopathology and development of individuals experiencing gender dysphoria in childhood are analyzed. Further, the aim is to highlight the controversies surrounding diagnostic and therapeutic processes, considering that the vast majority of gender-dysphoric (GD) children appear to no longer experience the symptoms in adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, the paper presents some important areas of care and stresses the need for great caution and individual approach when working with GD children and their families.gender dysphoria in children, gender variance, gender identity in childhood, atypical gender identity development 1 The first diagnostic category to describe strong atypical gender identity in children was incorporated in ICD-9. The category "Disorders of psychosexual identity" was included in the chapter called "Sexual deviations and disorders" and defined as behavior displayed in psychosexually immature pre-pubertal individuals, similar to "transvestism" and "transsexualism" (ICD-9) [11].The diagnostic category of gender identity disorder (GID) of childhood was first introduced 1 into the DSM-III classification (1980) [1] and was included together with transsexualism and atypical gender identity disorder in the gender identity disorder parent category. The most important characteristic of GID is the discrepancy between anatomical sex and gender identity defined as a strong sense of being either male or female [1]. From the beginning, this category has provoked controversies both among experts and members of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights organizations. The introduction of GID into the DSM diagnostic classification system was seen as a veiled attempt to restore the category of homosexuality, previously excluded from DSM-II, allegedly to legitimize "preventive treatment" of homosexuality [2,3]. Other allegations, which are maintained in modern literature, concern the validity of the GID category. In the course of preparing the fifth DSM revision, some LGBT activists claimed that it is stigmatizing to label behaviors incongruent with gender stereotypes as disorder symptoms Gender dysphoria and gender variance in children -diagnostic and therapeutic controversies... 35Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 2017; 3: 34-42 and that it may cause suffering in individuals who display such beha...

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Purpose: The aim of this paper is to provide a synthesis and present the current state of knowledge about the situation of children with atypical gender identity and their families. Available data pertaining to aetiology, psychopathology, and developmental paths of individuals experiencing gender dysphoria of childhood are analysed. Views: The phenomenon of atypical gender identity in adolescents and adults, in diagnostic classifications called gender identity disorder-transsexualism (ICD-10) or gender dysphoria (DSM-V), arouses interest among research communities and has been reported in the Polish and foreign literature. At the same time, much less attention is given to the very same phenomenon occurring in childhood, leaving a gap in the area of knowledge and competence potentially significant to a wider range of specialists including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, paediatricians, and social workers. Conclusions: In the context of the observation that the vast majority of gender-dysphoric (GD) children appear to no longer experience the symptoms during adolescence and adulthood, controversies surrounding diagnostic and therapeutic processes are significant. Therefore, the paper presents some important areas of assistance and stresses the need for great caution and individual approach when working with GD children and their families. Since no universal standard of care has been established so far and the discussed topic is highly emotionally charged, specialists working with GD children should carefully monitor both available literature and their own personal attitudes towards atypical gender identity and expression.

The aim of this paper is to present and analyse the available data concerning the situation of children of nonheterosexual people and to discuss selected areas of LGB parenting. The article enables an identifi cation of issues related to the welfare and specifi city of functioning of children brought up by gays, lesbians and bisexual people, which over almost forty years of research have fi nally been empirically verifi ed. At the same time, it points to the need to caution against generalizing particular conclusions from the conducted research, especially those concerning the level of discrimination and peer violence against non-heterosexual people and their children, on families living in Poland and other countries characterised by a low level of acceptance of LGB parenting. The paper also identifi es areas that should be of interest to researchers, including the perspective of social parents and their relations with children, experiences of children raised by non-heterosexual men and bisexual parents, as well as experiences of children brought up in family systems alternative to the traditional model (a pair of parents with children). The data collected so far allow us to speak about safe context of development of children raised in family systems created by non-heterosexual parents, and, at the same time, they point to a space for educational programs and research projects that will enable further understanding of experiences of non-heterosexual parents and their children.