"Who are you?" is a question with different dynamics. Sometimes we answer quickly, sometimes by thinking, sometimes with difficulty... We can add many identities to ourselves, such as I am a woman, I am a child, I am a therapist, I am a mother... As we get older, our identities begin to increase. New identities are added, but some of our identities also change, and some even disappear. What if I told you that the only important and unchanging point of identity development is sexual identity? We confirm that the child who defines himself as a "boy" makes this definition after perceiving that he is a boy, accepting this and exhibiting male behavior. So, is this the only truth? Can a person only develop a sexual identity that suits his or her own biological design?
Today, we see the development of identities that do not match gender role expectations. This situation reveals that gender does not determine sexual identity. Many studies conducted to date indicate that sexual orientation is not a disease or disorder, but an existential situation. This orientation is a way of being that you are born with, like your skin color or hair color, and that you cannot change at all. It is shaped like the sexual development of every human being. Although this awareness is now achieved at younger ages with the introduction of technology into our lives, unfortunately, it may not be possible for every individual to become aware of their sexual orientation under the same conditions. The biggest factor in this is social pressures. Many people experience delays in shaping their lives or physically saying "I am here too."
As occupational therapists, we aim to observe individuals especially in childhood and adolescence, educate the individual and the family, contribute to increasing social awareness, and work at school and home. - We care about improving their social environment and supporting their existence in daily life. Since I am faced with parents' concerns about this situation, social pressures and being the consulted party on the issue of holistic development in daily life, I thought that I should share this article using clearer expressions as I think it will contribute to our understanding of the process of LGBTI children. . When talking about an existential situation, it would be healthy to get to the bottom and understand Freud's Psychosexual Development Stages theory. It would be valuable to convey that the child shows different sexual developments at various stages of life. If we take a look at these periods consisting of 5 stages;
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Oral Period
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Anal Period
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Phallic Period
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Latent Period
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Genital Period
We see that it is like this.
The Oral Stage is the first stage of psychosexual development. Although it covers the period of 0-12 months, this period, which lasts 24 months for some children, supports recognition, discovery, expressing needs and reaching satisfaction. After the child's oral period ends during the anal period (usually between the 12th and 36th months), the child's relationship with the outside world is now maintained by another part of his body. The new source of satisfaction is now the anus, and experts consider it appropriate to move on to the stage of gaining toilet habits in this process. During this period, we observe that the child becomes completely self-oriented and begins to explore and touch himself during toilet training and bathing activities. During the phallic period following this period (late 3rd - 6th year), interest in sexuality increases. The area of pleasure is now the genitals. A child who wants to get to know his body can touch his genitals. During this period, not only one's own body, but also the body of others begins to be recognized. It is a process that mostly includes symbolic games (house games). As parents, you should know that toys have no gender during this period. Every child should be able to play all games with cars, dolls, games for girls or boys; Let them play so that they can gain many experiences from daily life and contribute to their self-development with the roles they enter. When a new one is added to our changing roles in life, it will be easier to cope with it. Here, a girl repairing a car or a boy playing with a doll is not an indicator of a single situation. It is possible that this situation will be seen as a sexual problem by the parent, but as long as it does not harm you, your environment or yourself, this situation will not be considered a problem. cannot be found. If this situation is related to sexual orientation, it will not be possible to change it. Latent period, also known as the "hidden/slumbering period", is a period that extends from the end of the phallic period to adolescence, and is a period characterized by sexual impulses/activities stagnating and being pushed out of consciousness. At this stage, the child does not have any signs of a certain tendency towards sexuality. The child attempts to seek "mature sexuality" towards the opposite sex or the same sex. It is possible to experience a homosexual approach or exhibit different behavior during this period, which is an important stage of spiritual development. This is actually like crossing the river by falling and getting up and overcoming obstacles in a river where the current is strong. I would like you to look at these processes we all go through from your own perspective. Do you remember your contacts with your self? Genital periodis the last stage and is the process that begins with adolescence and matures during adolescence, giving a taste of "adult sexuality". The person begins to enjoy his sexual organ and becomes aware of his orientations. The individual who becomes independent from the family will begin to learn to establish social relationships and will have completed sexual development.
In the 1900s, Freud made many interpretations about sexual orientation that expanded the horizons of that period, but science was developing so rapidly that some claims It decayed, many things were built on some of them, and it took its current form and continues to develop. While this process was defined as a developmental problem, incomplete sexual development or a mental disorder in those years, today it has become a condition that is not even included in the sources as a diagnosis in DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). . The removal of homosexuality as a mental illness from the DSM by the World Health Organization has been celebrated as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia every year since May 17, 1990.
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