How Should Parents Respond To A Child Behaving Like The Other Gender?

Gender roles tend to be sharply defined at an early age  in most cultures. Little girls play with dolls, little boys play with trucks. Little girls jump rope, little boys throw balls. But what if your child behaves more like the “other” gender? Girls who are athletic and prefer to play games with boys are often labeled “tomboys” and boys who are noticeably unathletic and prefer to play games with girls are often labeled “sissies.” Does this early toy and game preference have anything to do with sexual orientation? Should parents insist on early gender identification through specific toys and games for their child? What if your adolescent says he or she believes him or herself to be gay? As a parent, how would you respond?