Congress Paper Abstract

Networking for the future of possibly transgendered individuals

Esben Benestad, MD, Family Therapist 

Email: eaeb@online.no

In order to materialize inner convictions of gender(s), many individuals leave family, friends, school, job to establish themselves within a framework of interacting systems that can affirm their self-experienced gender. This process of "giving up what one has, to become what one is", has tremendous costs on many levels.

The presenter has been contacted by professionals and parents concerning children who display unusual gender expressions. The main enquiry has been: How can we be of help to these individuals?

They have all been offered a seminar, where I suggest the participants to be: present and future teachers, child/adolescent psychologists/psychiatrists, social workers and parents/family members.

Talking sessions are not offered to children/adolescents under the age of 13, in order not to label or stigmatize individuals who are too young for adult standards of understanding.

The object is to make it more probable for the growing individual to remain within her/his network regardless her/his experience and expression of gender and/or sexual orientation.

Can we construct recommendable modes of action for societies to prevent misfortune for those who may fail to find belonging for their special gender(s) and/or sexual orientation?

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