Cross Dressing is the act of adopting clothing that is not typically associated with one's sex. Cross dressing has been utilized for camouflage, comfort, humor, and self expression in modern and historical periods. Almost every human society throughout history has had expected norms for each gender in terms of the style, color, or type of clothes they are expected to wear, and most societies have also had a set of guidelines, beliefs, or even laws outlining what type of clothing is appropriate for each gender.

The word “cross-dressing” refers to an action or behavior without implying or attributing any specific causes or motives for that activity. Cross-dressing is not always or same as being transgender.

Cross dressing is a typical practice among young children who are unsure of their gender identity. It is not until children reach a certain age that society recognizes cross dressing as a “abnormal” activity. However, by describing what cross dressing is, you may assist your child understand that it is just another form of gender expression and that they should not be ashamed of it.

*Transvestism is a paraphilia (experience of intense sexual arousal to atypical objects) in which a person experiences frequent, intense sexual arousal from cross-dressing, or dressed as the opposite gender, and this need causes substantial distress or impairment in his or her daily life.

Cross-dressing is not a disorder in and of itself, but dressing in the opposite gender's attire to feel high sexual excitement may be, especially if it produces considerable impairment.

Cross-dressing is most frequent in men, though it can occur in both men and women, and it usually begins in infancy or adolescence. Cross-Dressing can be as simple as wearing a single item of clothes normally associated with the opposite gender or as complex as wearing an entire attire, including hair and makeup. The majority of cross-dressers are heterosexual

Things to keep in mind while dealing with cross dressing:

1. Educate yourself on cross-dressing behavior. It is advisable to first educate yourself on cross dressing before discussing it with your child. “Cross-Dressing” occurs when a boy clothes in girls apparel, such as dresses, and when girl dresses in boy's apparel, such as suits or boy's tennis shoes. You can explain this to your child. Remember that in various cultures, what each gender wears may differ. Men in Scotland for example, wear kilts, which are comparable to skirts.
2. Describe the distinction between sex and gender. For example, you could explain, "Your biological sex is decided by whether you were born with male or female parts. Gender, on the other hand, is how a person feels inside and how that is portrayed on the exterior.
3. Introduce your youngster to cultural norms. Explain how cultural expectations are the behaviors that society expects of you. You may also say, “some blue people prefer to wear pink, while others prefer to wear blue. This is referred to as defying society's standards, and it is neither wrong nor good.” You could also point out that cultural expectations can shift. Women, for example, did not wear jeans until after World War II.