3.5 Prepubertal Gender Diverse Children: Using Evidence and Experience to Understand the Pros and Cons of Social Transition

Abstract

An increasing number of children are socially transitioning to live as members of a gender that does not align with their sex at birth by changing their first names, pronouns, hair styles, and wardrobes. Yet little scientific research has been published tracking this cohort to understand the impact of these transitions on their development and well-being. Historical longitudinal data indicate that some children with gender dysphoria will no longer remain so in adolescence, adding to the complexity of the decision. Predicting a child’s future identity remains a complex area for debate in the field.