Pediatrician blasts study claiming that affirming kids’ gender confusion reduces suicide
A prominent expert in children’s health is challenging a study that claims to demonstrate that reinforcing children’s gender confusion is best for their mental health. Last week, the Journal of Adolescent Health published a study by University of Texas researchers finding that for “ transgender youth who choose a name different from the one given at birth, use of their chosen name in multiple contexts affirms their gender identity and reduces mental health risks known to be high in this group.” According to University of Texas News, the researchers interviewed 129 transgendered people between the ages of 15 and 21. The interview subjects were found in one northeastern U.S. city, one southwestern city, and one west coast city. After asking whether the respondents were able to use their chosen names at school, home, work, and among friends, researchers say they found 71% fewer symptoms of severe depression among those who were able, 34% fewer reported thoughts of suicid