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Why is supporting transgender youth critical to family health?
Transgender youth are children or youth who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Transgender youth face different challenges than adults because they often rely on their parents for care, shelter, and financial support. According to the recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, appropriate care for transgender youth includes supportive mental health care, social transition, and/or puberty blockers, which can delay the development of puberty, Give teens more time to explore their gender identity.
Many studies have demonstrated that pre-pubertal children who express a transgender or gender diverse identity have as stable gender identities as their opposite-sex peers of the same age.
Additionally, a review study published in 2022 found that most children who socially transitioned before adolescence still maintained their identities five to seven years later. Experts point out that if the gender dysphoria faced by transgender teenagers between the ages of 10 and 13 persists, it may become permanent.
The impact of family support on transgender adolescents
Family acceptance has a profound impact on the lives of transgender youth. The complexity of predicting parents' reactions to their children's gender identity makes this process difficult. In some cases, parents may react negatively or even expel their children from the home. Existing research shows that transgender youth who enter the juvenile justice system are at multiple times the risk of experiencing family rejection, abuse, and abandonment.
Family support and acceptance are strongly associated with increased self-esteem, social support, and improved health among transgender adolescents.
Research shows that when parents support their children in talking about gender identity, teenagers experience greater success and emotional stability. Parents who approach problems in a supportive manner, rather than suppressing and ignoring them, will promote healthier transitions.
Ongoing health risks and medical intervention
Family support can significantly reduce the health risks faced by transgender youth, including depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation. Research shows that outcomes are generally better when counseling is given earlier. Puberty blockers help delay the development of gender characteristics, allowing patients to be more certain of their gender identity. Some short-term side effects of puberty blockers include headaches, fatigue and anxiety, but studies have shown that these treatments are generally considered safe and improve mental health.
Facing social challenges
However, transgender youth still face numerous challenges at home and in society. Schools often become sites of name-calling and bullying, and many transgender students report feeling unsafe at school because of their gender identity. Unequal access to health care and severe physical and mental health risks lead them to engage in risky behaviors, further exacerbating their vulnerability.
Career prospects, housing situation and educational attainment are all affected by being transgender, making family support even more important.
Therefore, supporting transgender youth, whether in family, medical, or school settings, is critical to the youth's physical and mental health and future development. Faced with the challenges faced by transgender teenagers, how can parents and society more proactively provide help to reduce their vulnerability?
