Trans Kids: The Misinformation Battle

Mar 18, 2022

The podcast dives into urgent issues facing transgender youth, exploring the impact of anti-trans legislation on medical care and sports participation. It addresses misconceptions about gender-affirming treatments, including puberty blockers, and highlights personal stories from transgender kids and their families. The conversation also critiques the influence of social media on gender identity among teens. Additionally, it examines the complex debate surrounding transgender athletes, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and acceptance in sports.

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ANECDOTE

Shrier's Inspiration

Abigail Shrier's book "Irreversible Damage" was inspired by the Lisa Littman paper.
Shrier claims teenage girls are coming out as trans due to social media influence.

INSIGHT

Littman's Influence

Littman's paper, which claims social influence on trans identity, has influenced legislation and parental beliefs.
The study surveyed parents who believed their children's trans identity was sudden.

INSIGHT

Critique of Littman's Study

Florence Ashley criticizes Littman's study for selection bias.
Littman recruited parents from websites for those concerned about trans kids.

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U.S. politicians are trying to keep trans kids from getting the medical care they need to transition — and states are banning them from playing on the sports teams that match their gender. So we’re looking at the science here, and asking: are the medical treatments for trans kids dangerous? And do trans folks have an advantage when it comes to sports? We talk to Florence Ashley, Dr. Jack Turban, and Joanna Harper to find out.

UPDATE 5/24/24: We have removed identifying information about the trans children we interviewed.

UPDATE 5/17/22: A previous version of this episode incorrectly summarized a study from Seattle. We said those who got gender-affirming healthcare "felt better" after getting the treatment. The study actually found that those who got this treatment felt better compared to those who didn't get the treatment. The episode has been updated.

Note: in this episode we discuss suicide and self-harm. Please take care when listening to the show, and here are some resources:

Trans Lifeline: A Trans peer support hotline: 1-877-565-8860
Trevor Project: crisis support services to LGBTQ young people: Call 1-866-488-7386 or Text ‘START’ to 678-678
US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).
International suicide hotlines: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

Find our transcript here: bit.ly/sciencevstranskidstranscript

This episode was produced by Meryl Horn, Rasha Aridi, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, and Wendy Zukerman with help from Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler, and Courtney Gilbert. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Nick DelRose. Consulting by Rebecca Kling. Music written by Mr Mu Menage, Leon Trapedera, Robby Bold, and Lucas Ambarga. Thanks to the experts we got in touch with for this episode, including Dr. Arjee Javellana Restar, Dr. Jody Herman, and Dr. Toni D’Orsay. Very special thanks to all the trans kids and their parents we heard from, Crispin Torres, Alex Blumberg, Jack Weinstein, the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

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