DeepSummary
The episode discusses the controversy surrounding healthcare for transgender children, particularly in light of a recent UK report called the Cass Review that claimed the evidence supporting treatments like puberty blockers and hormones is weak. Experts are interviewed to analyze the scientific data on social transitioning (e.g. changing names/pronouns), the mental health impacts of puberty blockers and hormones, and the likelihood of transgender children later regretting their transition.
Studies are examined showing that when transgender children are supported in their social transition, it can significantly improve their mental health and reduce suicide risk. While evidence on puberty blockers is mixed, preventing transgender children from accessing them seems to harm their mental health compared to cisgender children. Hormone therapy is found to markedly reduce depression and suicidality in transgender people.
The data suggests very few transgender children who medically transition later stop identifying as trans. The experts argue the evidence overall supports affirmative care for transgender youth, despite the Cass Review's dismissal of the research as weak. Political restrictions on such care are seen as harmful based on the current scientific understanding.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Studies show that allowing transgender children to socially transition improves their mental health and reduces suicide risk.
- While evidence on puberty blockers is mixed, preventing transgender children from accessing them seems to harm their mental health compared to cisgender peers.
- Hormone therapy has been shown to markedly reduce depression and suicidal ideation in transgender people.
- Very few transgender children who medically transition later stop identifying as transgender.
- Despite claims that evidence is weak, experts argue the data overall supports affirmative healthcare for transgender youth.
- Political restrictions limiting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth are viewed as harmful based on the current scientific understanding.
- The episode counters the UK's Cass Review report, which dismissed much of the existing evidence as inadequate.
- Forcing transgender youth to suppress their identity can be highly damaging to their well-being and mental health according to experts.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So many trans and gender diverse people will tell us, just like so many LGB people will tell us, just like many straight people would tell us if we told them not to be straight and just wait, they would tell us. I can't just wait. It's inauthentic and it's undermining my well being to just put an entire part of myself on hold for 510. 15 years.“ by Stephen Russell
- “And knowing and caring about trans kids, it's just. It's devastating that we've got to where we are, and it's devastating that this harm is being veiled in a banner of evidence based policy that really, like, cuts to my core because it's not evidence based.“ by Quinnehtukqut McLamore
- “We found a marked reduction in depression and most significantly, this marked reduction in suicidal ideation. So half the people had complete resolution of their suicidal ideation. Whoa.“ by Ada Chung
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Episode Information
Science Vs
Spotify Studios
6/6/24