Gender nonconformity in 7-year-olds, measured by how much they engage in gender-conforming play, could be linked to autistic traits and behavioral issues in girls, and to problems in peer relationships in boys, as a recent study suggests.
A new study published on August 28, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, led by Marlene Stratmann from Karlstad University in Sweden, explores how gender nonconformity in children is connected to these behavioral challenges.
Gender nonconformity (GNC) refers to behaviors and expressions that diverge from traditional societal and cultural gender expectations. This can show up in various ways during childhood, such as in play activities, interactions with peers, choice of clothing, and body language. While GNC in childhood does not necessarily imply that a child will experience gender dysphoria (GD) in the future, the two are related. Recently, research has highlighted a strong overlap between GNC, GD, and autism spectrum disorder. Much of this research has focused on clinical populations, where individuals have already received diagnoses, which may skew understanding of the connections between GNC and autistic traits or behavioral difficulties in a broader population of children.
The current study examined data from 718 children participating in the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and Child, Asthma and Allergy (SELMA) study. This dataset included information on play behaviors and behavioral outcomes for the children. To assess GNC in play, the researchers utilized the Preschool Activities Inventory, which categorizes toys, play activities, and traits into 12 “feminine” and 12 “masculine” items.
Findings indicated that both boys and girls who engaged more in gender nonconforming play exhibited greater behavioral difficulties. For both genders, higher scores in masculine play were linked to traits such as hyperactivity and inattention. In boys, engaging more in feminine play was connected to issues with peer relationships, while girls who played more with masculine toys showed a higher likelihood of exhibiting autistic traits and behavioral challenges.
The study is limited to a specific age group within one country, making it inappropriate to establish any causative relationships. Nevertheless, the authors suggest that gender nonconformity may relate to behavioral difficulties for both genders, even among children without existing diagnoses.
Additionally, the authors note: “The results indicated that children who gravitate towards toys typically associated with the opposite gender tend to show more autistic traits and behavioral issues. However, it’s crucial to remember that a girl engaging in rough play or a boy playing with dolls does not automatically indicate they will face behavioral challenges or possess autistic traits.”
