Final answer:
Reker's 1986 work supports the biosocial explanation of gender dysphoria, emphasizing that both biological and social factors contribute to an individual's gender identity. The biosocial perspective is aligned with legal and medical shifts in understanding, as evidenced by changes in the DSM-5 and the allowance for legal gender identification changes in cases like Germany's.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reker's 1986 support for the biosocial explanation of gender dysphoria revolves around the idea that gender identity is not solely determined by biology or socialization but rather through their interaction. Although specifics on Reker's work are not provided in the reference material, the broader discussion recognizes that gender identity issues in intersex individuals, such as those seen in the Reimer case, point to the complexities of biological and social factors. For instance, the story of David Reimer, initially raised as a girl after a botched circumcision, highlighted the inadequacies of the theory that socialization could override biological factors in gender identity formulation.
Dr. Money's psychosexual neutrality theory suggested that social factors play a major role in gender identity development. However, later studies, including the legal self-identification changes in Germany, indicate a shift towards recognizing the interplay of biology and social influence. The DSM-5 recognizes gender dysphoria as a diagnostic category, addressing the distress experienced when one's gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. Thus, Reker's biosocial viewpoint is consistent with the understanding that both biological and social elements contribute to gender identity, which is supported by legal, psychological, and medical advancements.