Research on transgender identification in youth or adulthoodThe question that arises is whether or not it is more beneficial for a person suffering from gender dysphoria to be able to express the gender they identify as from a young age, or later, as an adult. When it comes to sociology, symbolic interactionism is ideal for examining how sociological theory relates to transgender issues. Indeed, symbolic interactionism studies the way in which people interact with each other and with their environment, but more particularly how the relationships between them have an effect on their environment. Blumer's conceptualization of symbolic interactionism, known as the situational approach, is most often used in sex research (Longmore, 1998). Indeed, this underlines that sexuality is socially constructed and different for everyone (Longmore, 1998). Using symbolic interactionism to inform the research would prove beneficial because the question itself asks about the interactions between parents and their gender dysphoric children as well as the interaction between other people in their lives, such as others children, other parents, and as adults, their relationships with their parents who may not have allowed them to identify with themselves from an early age. The situational approach of symbolic interactionism emphasizes that people change roles depending on their life situations, and each person does so differently (Longmore, 1998). In this sense, when a child and a parent realize that the child does not fit their gender role, they will each approach the situation differently. Additionally, an adult would react differently to the transition than a child. Additionally, people... middle of article...... has to do with interactions and role performances as well as self-perception. Works Cited Burke, P.J. (2006). Identity theory. In Contemporary Theories of Social Psychology. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Longmore, M.A. (1998). Symbolic interactionism and the study of sexuality. The Journal of Sexual Research, 35(1), 44-57. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/stable/3813164Nuttbrock, L., Rosenblum, A., and Blumenstein, R. (2002). Transgender identity affirmation and mental health []. The International Transgender Journal, 6(4). Retrieved from http://www.transgenderchimera.com/aioshcom/TG5.pdfVanderburgh, R. (November 6, 2008). Appropriate therapeutic management for families with prepubescent transgender/gender dissonant children []. Journal of Child and Adolescent Social Work, 26(2), 135-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10560-008-0158-5.