Karol Markovitz
opinion
Young people holding up the LGBT rainbow flag.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Is transgenderism among children primarily a fad?
It certainly looks that way.
Researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands recently published the results of a groundbreaking 15-year study of 2,700 children starting at age 11.
They tracked these children's gender complaints over the years and found that: Prevalence decreased with age and was 4% at last follow-up (around age 26). ”
The researchers found that “gender dissatisfaction is relatively common in early adolescence, but generally declines with age and is associated with poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development.” It seems that there is,” he concluded.
In other words, most of the children in the study experienced gender dysphoria during their awkward teenage years, but by early adulthood they had shaken off their gender dysphoria and adapted, and their gender dysphoria led to lower self-esteem. It was also associated with mental health problems.
This is completely contrary to the policies being pursued in American schools and medical institutions. Children who declare themselves to be transgender need to be “affirmed” regardless of their age, and that belief leads them to take hormone blockers and undergo transgender surgery. Sometimes. Attempt to change gender.
These interventions can have lifelong effects, but some doctors aren't even sure if they should inform the child before taking action.
A document leaked last month from the World Association of Transgender Health Professionals found that some doctors don't think they need to disclose potential risks.
As the Post reported, health care workers believe that talking to a 14-year-old about possible infertility is like talking to a “blank wall.”
As one child psychologist put it, “Understanding the extent to which these medical interventions are impacting children is beyond the scope of children's development.''
If children cannot understand the medical implications of a completely elective procedure that is not necessary to benefit their health or save their lives, then perhaps it is better not to have it done. ?
This shouldn't be controversial.
But we've reached a situation where anyone who doesn't jump at the chance to “affirm” a child who wants to change their gender is transphobic or worse.
When Gov. Ron DeSantis banned such medical interventions for children in Florida, Rolling Stone's “Ron DeSantis took just two big steps to make transgender life illegal” Headlines like this were common.
Reuters said the law “escalates the Republican Party's political strategy of pursuing legislation restricting transgender rights.”
Many news articles called it a “transgender treatment” ban because it bans puberty blockers and hormone therapy in children.
Such laws are necessary to stop the hysteria that has arisen around this issue and primarily to protect girls.
A study by the University of Groningen found that girls are the ones most affected by this gender dysphoria.
The report notes that “those with increased levels of gender dissatisfaction are more likely to be women, and that both increasing and decreasing trends are associated with lower overall self-esteem, more behavioral and emotional problems, and It is associated with a non-heterosexual sexual orientation.”
Abigail Schrier was one of the first to point out the social contagion of transgenderism, especially among teenage girls, in her 2020 book Irreparable Damage.
Her latest book, Bad Therapy, focuses on the therapy culture that encourages teens to indulge in bad thoughts.
Perhaps the answer is not to take your child's word for it.
The currently promoted “tender parenting” that causes good parents to consider drugging their children to achieve the unattainable gender reassignment will have to face tough love and fasting.
Twitter: @Karol