Gender Selection in Two American Indian Tribes

Providing social service assistance for ethnically diverse clients is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the social work profession. Academic and professional training often do little to prepare the social service professional for working with many minority groups, especially American Indians. This article provides insight into cultural norms concerning gender lifestyle choices among the Santee Dakota and Lakota tribes. This is followed by a discussion of the DSM IV classifications of gender dysphoria and transvestic fetishism, and how these labels may not necessarily apply to gay and lesbian American Indians.