(Modernity) A landmark study conducted over the past 15 years has concluded that most children who experience confusion regarding their gender identity grow out of it and go on to feel content with their lives as men and women.
The study, carried out in the Netherlands by researchers from the University of Groningen, involved more than 2,700 children, tracking them from age 11 to their mid-twenties.
The Daily Mail reports that every three years, the individuals were asked how they felt about their gender.
At the beginning of the study, around 11 percent, or one in ten of the children, expressed ‘gender non-contentedness’.
However, by the age of 25, just 4 percent, or one in 25, said they ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ felt discontent with their gender.
The study comes as the controversy over allowing children to be given puberty blocking hormones, or even gender reassignment surgery, rages on.
But not if they’re plied with puberty blocking hormones or worse. https://t.co/22r9soF8JQ
— m o d e r n i t y (@ModernityNews) April 3, 2024
The researchers noted, “The results of the current study might help adolescents to realise 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.”
Published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, the study found that around 19 percent became more content with their gender over 15 years, while just 2 percent became less comfortable. Overall, 78 percent felt the same.
The authors further noted that “Gender non-contentedness, while being relatively common during early adolescence, in general decreases with age and appears to be associated with a poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development.”
