Research shows most children grow out of gender confused feelings

Most children grow out of ‘gender non-contentedness’ as they age, Dutch researchers have found.

The study followed 2,772 children from age 11 until 25, to assess how their feelings towards their own gender changed over time.

The research also found that gender confusion was more prevalent in females, suggesting this could be because “girls more often believe that being a boy would come with certain advantages than the other way around”.

Findings

The report stated: “We found that gender non-contentedness is most common around the age of 11 and that the prevalence decreases with age.”

It concluded: “The results of the current study might help adolescents to realize that it is normal to have some doubts about one’s identity and one’s gender identity during this age period and that this is also relatively common.”

Links have been made to the Cass review, which recommended that for most young people “a medical pathway will not be the best way to manage gender-related distress”.

In April, Dr Cass, who led the independent review of gender identity services for children and young people, concluded that giving trans drugs to children is based on “remarkably weak evidence”.

UK gender services

NHS England recently announced multiple changes to its gender services for children and the launch of a new clinical trial for puberty-blocking drugs.

In response, The Christian Institute’s Director Ciarán Kelly said: “the news that a clinical trial of puberty blockers is to go ahead next year is deeply concerning.

“Many side-effects of the drugs are already known, including long term effects on fertility, bone density, growth and possibly even brain development. The NHS should not knowingly put children’s health at risk.”

Evidence shows that almost all who take puberty blockers go on to more damaging cross-sex hormone treatment. Without blockers, gender confusion resolves at or around puberty in the overwhelming majority of cases.