Last updated on February 21st, 2024 at 08:26 am
Recently, a sharp increase in the number of adolescent girls identifying as transgender has drawn the attention of researchers exploring the phenomenon of “rapid onset gender dysphoria” (ROGD). ROGD is a term used to describe teenagers with no pre-puberty history of gender-related distress suddenly experiencing gender confusion.
Manhattan Institute fellow Leor Sapir, alongside researchers Lisa Littman and Michael Biggs, criticized Jack Turban’s study which refuted the existence of ROGD. Published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, their letter argues that Turban’s research is based on outdated surveys and does not account for individuals who may desist from a transgender identity by adulthood.
Many in the transgender activist community reject ROGD, viewing it as a challenge to the belief that being transgender is an innate and immutable characteristic. They argue that children who appear to have a sudden onset of gender dysphoria have likely been harboring these feelings internally for years. However, Sapir argues that the recent upswing in adolescents, particularly girls, identifying as transgender aligns more closely with ROGD. This group of patients, frequently presenting with mental health issues, only began to emerge in late 2000.
While Turban’s work is widely cited and discussed within the media, Sapir argues that it does not paint an accurate picture of the current state of transgender adolescents. He contends the research is compromised due to its alignment with a specific narrative that scholars are seeking to verify and promote.