Dr. Karen Man Wa Kwan is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. As a developmental psychologist, she specializes in gender development across the lifespan. Her research interests include gender nonconformity, identity, stereotypes, socialization, and the cross-cultural aspects of gender expression and perception. Dr. Kwan employs diverse methodologies, such as child facial expression analysis, questionnaires, and ecological momentary assessment. Her work has been published in leading journals, including Child Development, Developmental Psychology, and Archives of Sexual Behavior, and has attracted international media coverage from outlets including the South China Morning Post, a Society for Research in Child Development press release, EurekAlert!, and PsyPost. Her research advancesour understanding of gender development and informs inclusive approaches for individuals with diverse gender expressions.

Children’s perceptions of gender-related behavior shape how they respond to peers of different gender expressions. This presentation provides an integrated, research informed overview of gender development in childhood, with particular attention to how children evaluate gender-nonconforming peers. Drawing on empirical work conducted in Hong Kong and Canada, the findings show that children often respond less positively to peers who violate traditional gender norms, with this pattern being especially pronounced when the peers are boys. At the same time, evidence indicates that children’s attitudes are malleable.By connecting developmental science with applied implications, scientific insights can inform practices that support inclusive environments and foster positive peer interactions, which can potentially contribute to the well being of children with different gender expressions.