Discovering a diverse gender in adolescence: revelation of being. Exploratory study

Gender identity is configured from childhood. to explore the experience in the construction of a diverse gender in adolescence in its family and social context. Exploratory qualitative study that used the Grounded Theory method and its analytical techniques of coding, categorization, and constant comparison. 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with youths aged between 12 and 21 years attending a Specialized Psychopedagogical Center in Medellín, Colombia, plus the contribution of close adult relatives in 3 of the interviews. The ethical requirements for this type of study were met. The incongruence between body and gender identity begins with an internal conflict that allows the exploration of the self as a task inherent to the individual. Adolescence exacerbates the need for recognition of that identity. This study shows that gender identity is a dynamic process of individual construction, permeated by the family-social context, which is sometimes attacked by imposing hegemonic binary standards (male-female); archetypes that promote discrimination with serious consequences for physical and mental health. Comprehensive management should embrace and facilitate the process of building a diverse gender in adolescence. The experience of a diverse gender begins in childhood with the feeling of body/gender identity incongruence, and intensifies in adolescence with dysphoria being predominant. Self-acceptance, family support, and the beginning of affirmation are sources of resilience that facilitate full disclosure of a diverse gender.