The trend of transgender identification among high school students in the United States continues to rise, even as other countries reassess their approach to treating gender dysphoria and managing the social implications.
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3% of high school students now identify as transgender, and an additional 2.2% are "questioning" their gender identity. Given that there were around 17 million high school students in the US in 2023, this suggests that approximately 570,000 students identify as transgender, and 380,000 are uncertain about their gender identity.
As reported by The Post Millennial, a separate report from Do No Harm, a group of medical professionals opposing sex changes for minors, revealed that 13,994 minors received some form of medical treatment for their diagnosed gender dysphoric condition between 2019 and 2023. Of these, 5,747 underwent surgical procedures in line with their belief that they can change sex. The report, which was largely based on insurance claims data, also found that $119 million was spent on these prescriptions, surgeries, and medical appointments. Do No Harm suggests that these figures are likely underestimated.
The CDC report also delved into the demographics of transgender students, noting differences in demographic characteristics by transgender identity. However, the report did not provide a glossary, leaving some ambiguity regarding the interpretation of terms such as "reported female sex." The report also found that while the majority of cisgender students identified their sexual identity as heterosexual, only a small percentage of transgender and gender-questioning students did so. This suggests that students questioning their gender are also questioning their sexuality, and they report higher instances of bullying and housing insecurity.
The CDC report highlighted that students who identify as transgender or gender-questioning experience high rates of bullying, persistent sadness, and suicidal thoughts. The CDC did not establish a causal link between transgender or gender-questioning identities and these issues but suggested that LGBTQ+ supportive policies and practices in schools could improve all students' mental health. The report also noted that transgender and questioning youth who do not conform to social expectations of gender might experience gender dysphoria, discrimination, or violence.
The CDC identified several challenges faced by transgender and gender-questioning students, including being unable to use bathrooms or play on sports teams matching their gender identity, being misgendered, and being unable to express themselves in a way consistent with their gender identity. The report stated, "Transgender and questioning students had the highest prevalence of experiencing violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and unstable housing, and the lowest prevalence of school connectedness compared with cisgender students."
The CDC's findings suggest that increased acceptance of transgender individuals, more medical procedures for sex change, and enhanced transgender education are necessary. The report referenced the "minority stress theory" and "the gender minority stress framework" to understand the factors contributing to these disparities. The CDC concluded, "Transgender and questioning persons experience stigma, discrimination, and social marginalization related to their gender as a result of institutionalized social norms that privilege cisgender persons."
The CDC recommended schools to create more "inclusive activities," such as implementing genders and sexualities alliances, providing professional development to educators and school staff members on supporting students with LGBTQ+ identities, and implementing policies that are inclusive of students with LGBTQ+ identities.
However, the CDC acknowledged that these approaches have not been specifically evaluated among transgender and questioning students and that further research is necessary.
The programs recommended by the CDC often lead to referrals to medical providers who assist students in seeking pharmaceutical and/or surgical solutions to their gender issues. If the increase in transgender identification results in a rise in "gender-affirming" programs for these students, it is likely that Do No Harm will observe a significant increase in the number of medical interventions for these minors. This raises questions about the long-term implications of these interventions and the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing gender dysphoria among young people.
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