“A majority of transgender youth and kids who make a social transition remain living in their affirmed gender.”įamilies were recruited to participate in the study from social media groups for trans kids, camps, conferences and word of mouth in about 40 states. “If you’re in the trenches doing this work day-in and day-out with trans kiddos and their families, this is what we see,’’ said Williams, who was not involved in the study. The study is “incredibly timely … and sorely needed,’’ said Coleen Williams, a psychologist who works with Boston Children’s Hospital’s Gender Multispecialty Service, a clinic that treats transgender kids. The Pediatrics study is one of the largest to look at the issue, although not all kids had started treatment and none had transgender surgery. Some doctors say that's why transgender medication or surgery shouldn't be offered until affected kids reach adulthood, but rigorous research on the numbers is lacking. Politicians seeking to outlaw or criminalize medical treatment for transgender youth have cited evidence suggesting many change children their minds or “retransition.” The study was published online in Pediatrics.
It’s unknown whether similar results would be found among youngsters from less advantaged backgrounds or those who begin identifying as transgender as teenagers.
