Left, right, and transgender youth

This post is part 2 of a series.

in part 1 In this series, we looked at how Democrats are approaching the issue of transgender teens and highlighted where they’re getting it right and where they might be getting it wrong.

Now, in Part 2, we’ll examine the Republican position and see where they too are right and where they’re off the mark.

We also offer some recommendations for both therapists and parents seeking to address these complex and sensitive issues.

republican perspective

Republicans on the other side tend to be skeptical about the growing number of young people identifying as transgender. They are influenced by their peers; social contagion is the main factor. In this respect, they may have a more realistic understanding of the social dynamics that Littman describes and that many clinicians also observe.

But this is where Republicans get it wrong. Rather than acknowledging that there are different routes to trance. identitymany conservatives have adopted the view that all transgender identification is socially constructed and therefore invalid. In doing so, they often deny the very existence of transgender people.

History provides ample evidence that gender nonconforming individuals have existed across cultures and centuries. Catalina de Erauso, a Basque nun who lived as a man in the 1600s. Albert Casher was born a woman, but served in the Union Army as a man during the Civil War. Jazz musician Billy Tipton, who was born a woman and lived his life as a man, is just one example of people who lived their lives in defiance of gender norms.

To suggest that all transgender identities are a modern trend driven by societal influences is to ignore this historical reality.

That is, not all children appear to be transgender due to societal influences, even though many on the right believe this to be true.

Medical intervention and decision making

Republicans also tend to oppose puberty blockers and gender-affirming medical care for minors. hormone treatment. This position goes against the recommendations of groups such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which tend to support the assertion that all children are born transgender.

As a clinician with a strong understanding of developmental psychology, I agree with this part of the Republican platform. I support gender-affirming care for adults, but I don’t believe it’s right. teenager They have the cognitive capacity and emotional maturity to make lasting, life-changing decisions about their bodies.

Don’t allow teenagers to vote until they turn 18 or drink alcohol alcohol Until the age of 21, and for good reason. Adolescents are still at a critical developmental stage decision making skill. Any parent who’s ever tried to coordinate weekend plans with their teens knows that kids can change their minds on the tiniest of things. And about big issues too. How many children who say when they are young that they want to make a living doing one thing actually end up doing that job later in life?

Of course, once a person turns 18, he has the right to make his own medical decisions. But before that, you need to be careful. Particularly in cases where ROGD is suspected, leaving the decision up to children can be premature and have potentially tragic consequences.

Therefore, not approving medical intervention for minors is also a correct Republican decision and is consistent with developmental psychology.

Beyond polarization

I myself want to avoid falling into the trap of polarized thinking. Many people may have had doubts about their own way of life since childhood. gender identity And I didn’t feel safe expressing it or talking about it. Thanks to their connections with other transgender kids, it became OK for them to accept their true identity, and social contagion had nothing to do with it.

Advice for parents and clinicians

Parents should always start by being loving and supportive when their child comes out as transgender. Calling your child a new name or using their preferred pronouns are small but powerful ways to show care and respect.

Whether your child shows any of the following signs: gender dysphoria Early in life, or if you fit the ROGD profile, a supportive and loving response is the most productive approach. Trying to explain their gender identity to teenagers almost always backfires. It often leads to deeper stereotypes, family conflicts, and further emotional distance.

Even if you suspect ROGD, I don’t think it would be a good idea to bring it up. Because this risks pushing young people even further into that position. If a parent brings up the topic of ROGD, the teen will likely be embarrassed. After all, who wants to feel like they’re being manipulated without them even realizing it? They also have an incentive to deny the existence of ROGD, since it would be a loss of face to admit it exists. Moreover, reconsidering their position means that their peer group will almost certainly reject them if they cease to be. fits to the group.

For teens who may fall into the ROGD category, the best strategy is to avoid activating the situation. If your teen ultimately chooses to distance themselves from their transgender identity, respond with the same neutrality and support you previously provided, but without activating it either. And even if they don’t leave, they still have the right to express themselves as they choose without being judged.

conclusion

In today’s politically divisive climate, we must remember that transgender youth are not a political topic. They are human, complex, vulnerable, and worthy of respect.