Nature or Nurture: The Case of a Boy Who Became a Girl

Nature or Nurture: The Case of the Boy Who Became a Girl by Keith K. Schillo. Case copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Originally published November 16, 2011.

https://leocontent.umgc.edu/content/dam/course-content/tus/psyc/psyc-495/document/gender_reassignment.pdf

Questions

1. What is the current research suggesting about our understanding of the issues highlighted in this case? Provide and summarize a scholarly resource/article in support of your point.
2. Some people have argued that the Johns Hopkins psychologist used this opportunity as an experiment to test his nurture theory of gender identity. What are the expected results of this experiment, assuming that the nurture theory is valid?
3. According to the nurture theory, predict the gender identity Bruce would express if he were not subjected to gender reassignment surgery and raised as a boy?
4. In light of newer research on gender identity, what advice would you give parents who are considering gender reassignment of a male infant who lacks a penis, but has functional testicles?
5. What are your thoughts on therapist behavior? What guidelines and codes of ethics direct therapists managing cases of this nature?