Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria: A Study of Parents' Experiences
A study of 1,655 kids (75% female at birth) and their parents who thought their kids had Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) was conducted. Pre-existing mental health issues were common and tied to a higher transition rate. Parents reported feeling pressured to affirm their child's new gender.
Benjamin Ryan
🔬Health & science reporter | Contributor to: @NYTimes @NBCNews @Guardian @TRF | Other bylines: @WashingtonPost @TheAtlantic | Cancer Survivor | Columbia grad
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A study on "rapid onset gender dysphoria" in kids:
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 30, 2023
Parents of 1,655 kids (75% female at birth) were surveyed from a website for those who think their kids have ROGD. Pre-existing mental health issues were common & tied to a higher transition rate. 🧵https://t.co/r7IEPGl3ZR pic.twitter.com/qqAeZ3DQ4r -
The study on "rapid onset gender dysphoria" found the parents "reported that they had often felt pressured by clinicians to affirm their...child's new gender and support their transition." 3/https://t.co/r7IEPGl3ZR pic.twitter.com/7IJfgaZIHD
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 30, 2023 -
The study on "rapid onset gender dysphoria" found that according to parents who thought their kids had this highly controversial condition, their "children's mental health deteriorated considerably after social transition." 4/ https://t.co/r7IEPGl3ZR pic.twitter.com/4S3WX4PpXa
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 30, 2023 -
This new paper identifies two hypotheses about the increase in trans-identifying kids:
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 30, 2023
1) There has been no increase in gender dysphoric adolescents; it's just that more are being recognized.
2) There has been an increase in gender dysphoria, driven by social contagion. 5/ pic.twitter.com/OIBB91aftI -
"Asked whether the youths were friends with others who 'came out as transgender around the same time,' 55.4% of parents said 'yes.' That response was significantly higher regarding natal females (60.9%) than natal males (38.7%)."
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 30, 2023
6/ https://t.co/r7IEPGl3ZR pic.twitter.com/kvIOsaLI6D -
"One statistically robust finding was both disturbing and seemingly important. Youths with a history of mental health issues were especially likely to have taken steps to socially and medically transition."
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 30, 2023
7/ https://t.co/r7IEPGl3ZR pic.twitter.com/N1iCfnAw2p -
This controversial paper has myriad limitations that are very important to note:
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 30, 2023
1. Parents were recruited from a website for those who think their kids have ROGD. So they're not a representative sample.
2. The parents, self selected, could have biased and inaccurate assessments. pic.twitter.com/Yx9lZQpNJ6 -
The lead author of the paper, J. Michael Bailey of Northwestern, has comments on it here: https://t.co/xpAVVcdX4e
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) March 31, 2023