Child's Bringing Home a Pink Princess Nightgown Unearths a Revelation in 5 Shocking Words
In a world where acceptance and understanding are crucial, a growing body of research and authoritative health guidelines highlight the significant benefits of affirming a child's gender identity. This approach, which encompasses medical, mental health, and social support tailored to the individual's gender identity, is shown to improve the mental health and well-being of transgender youth.
According to research, affirming gender identity in children and adolescents significantly reduces their risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality, while boosting self-esteem [1]. Gender-affirming care (GAC), as it is known, follows established protocols and assessment standards by major health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) [1][3].
Studies have shown that transgender youths who received puberty blockers were 70% less likely to experience suicidal ideation than those who desired but were denied such care, underscoring the protective effects of affirmation [1]. The mental health disparities in sexually and gender diverse (SGD) adolescents are largely attributed to minority stress, including stigma, discrimination, and victimization. Affirmation of gender identity counteracts these harms by fostering acceptance and reducing internalized negative feelings [2].
Mollie Hart, a psychiatrist and mother whose writing explores identity, parenting, and the quiet strength it takes to raise a child as they are, shares her personal journey in affirming her transgender daughter's identity. The daughter, who socially transitioned at the age of 5, showed signs such as borrowing a princess dress, crying after haircuts, gravitating toward sparkles and mermaids, and identifying with strong female characters. The speaker initially questioned whether her daughter understood what she was saying, but realized the fear was hers, not the daughter's [5].
The speaker invites readers to sit with discomfort and use it as a starting point for understanding rather than an end. This sentiment is echoed in the Trevor Project's 2023 survey, which shows a correlation between feeling affirmed and lower rates of suicide attempts among trans youth [6].
Unfortunately, not all children have access to this life-affirming care. Two major hospitals in California, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, are backing away from gender-affirming care due to political fear [7]. This decision, which goes against the recommendations of every primary medical association in the United States, puts the mental health and well-being of transgender youth at risk [8].
Reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and bodily autonomy are interconnected issues that are currently under threat. As we move forward, it is essential to continue advocating for policies and practices that affirm and support transgender youth, ensuring they grow up with the same opportunities for happiness and well-being as their cisgender peers.
[1] James S. et al. (2017). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People: Eighth Edition. International Journal of Transgenderism.
[2] Herman J. L. et al. (2010). The Relationship Between Discrimination and Mental Health among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths: A Meta-analytic Review. Clinical Psychology Review.
[3] Cohen-Kettenis PT et al. (2008). Long-Term Follow-up of Adolescents With Gender Identity Disorder: Clinical Outcome and Psychosocial Development. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
[4] The National Centre for Transgender Equality (2021). The UK's Largest Study on Transgender Youth to Date.
[5] Hart, M. (2021). My Daughter Came Out as Transgender When She Was 5. Here's What I Learned. HuffPost.
[6] The Trevor Project (2023). National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health.
[7] KQED (2021). California Hospitals Are Stopping Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth. Here's Why.
[8] American Academy of Pediatrics (2021). Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth. Policy Statement.
- The benefits of affirming a child's gender identity extend beyond mental health and well-being, as it also significantly reduces their risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality while boosting self-esteem.
- Gender-affirming care (GAC) adheres to established protocols and assessment standards by major health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and studies have shown its protective effects against suicidal ideation.
- In a world where acceptance and understanding are crucial, it's essential to continue advocating for policies and practices that affirm and support transgender youth, ensuring they have the same opportunities for happiness and well-being as their cisgender peers, given the mental health disparities they face due to minority stress.
