‘Social Contagion’ Is Not Causing Teens To Be Transgender
I often talk with parents who have become fixated on the flawed notion of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD), which they’ve encountered in a fear induced Google search. However, these articles ignore the deeply flawed methodology of the research and present ROGD as a legitimate diagnosis, which it is not.
Littman’s so-called research creates a false “medical” foundation behind transphobia, prompting parents to question the truth in their child’s trans identity under the guise of medical validity and manipulates parental disbelief and shock into denial and rejection.
“Despite contradicting the scientific consensus, the notion that trans identities are supposedly spread by ‘social contagion’ has been cited in anti-trans legislation and promoted by right-wing media and political organizations,” says Julia Serano, Ph.D.
New Research:
On August 3rd 2022, Jack Turban and his research partners published a study in the Journal of Pediatrics that clearly demonstrates two major findings:
That social contagion is not causing youth to become transgender.
Those assigned female at birth (AFAB) were not transitioning at higher rates for ‘social desireability’
RESULTS:
The analysis included 91,937 adolescents in 2017 and 105,437 adolescents in 2019. In 2017, 2161 (2.4%) participants identified as TGD, with an AMAB:AFAB ratio of 1.5:1. In 2019, 1640 (1.6%) participants identified as TGD, with an AMAB:AFAB ratio of 1.2:1. Rates of bullying victimization and suicidality were higher among TGD youth when compared with their cisgender peers.
CONCLUSION:
The sex assigned at birth ratio of TGD adolescents in the United States does not appear to favor AFAB adolescents and should not be used to argue against the provision of gender-affirming medical care for TGD adolescents.
Why does this matter?
From broad public policy to close familial relationships, the implications of this study are far-reaching. Turban’s research directly disproves the findings of Littman’s ROGD study, and acting on these findings will save lives.
What can I do?
Click the link to learn more about Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria and why it is not a legitimate diagnosis or something to be fearful of. If you know parents or caregivers who are struggling to understand, please share this information with them!
Has a kid in your life recently come out? Check out my “Now What?!” guide!
Want to better understand gender so you can support the kids in your life?
Sign up for How To Talk To Kids About Gender, the course that helps parents and caregivers have the not-so-difficult conversations that matter about gender.
