Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a disorder of sex development (DSD) often leading to genital ambiguity. When the diagnosis of CAH is made at birth, it has traditionally been recommended that the gender of rearing, regardless of the degree of virilization of the genitalia, be female. This case study follows one low-income, immigrant family whose child was diagnosed with CAH at birth. The parents elected to not assign a gender and to raise their child in a "neutral" gender. Recordings of interviews following the first two years after birth were analyzed for themes. Protective and risk factors including culture, religion, personal values, and ideologies in regards to sexuality, gender, and society were explored for importance to the family. Our results show that in this particular case, it was the visual perception of gender that influenced the parent's male gender assignment at birth. After further exploration, psychoeducation and cultural factors played significant roles adopting a neutral gender of rearing. The results of this study provide insights into attitudes toward gender development and may impact the management of children with DSD from low-income, immigrant families.
Author: Lopez, Francisco
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6999064811