A Transgender psychologist is speaking out about teens transitioning, saying it has âgone too far.â
Erica Anderson told the Los Angeles Times, âFor a while, we were all happy that society was becoming more accepting and more families than ever were embracing children that were gender variant.â
Anderson added, âNow itâs got to the point where there are kids presenting at clinics whose parents say, âThis just doesnât make sense.'â
The psychologist explained, âI have these private thoughts: âThis has gone too far. Itâs going to get worse. I donât want any part of it.'â
Anderson worries âthat people will accuse me of setting the train in motion, as part of those who advocated the affirmative approach to gender in youth, even though thatâs not a reasonable account of what happened.â
Anderson previously told The Washington Post, âA fair number of kids are getting into it because itâs trendy,â adding, âI think in our haste to be supportive, weâre missing that element.â
During the interview, Anderson asked the Times, âWhat happens when the perfect storm â of social isolation, exponentially increased consumption of social media, the popularity of alternative identities â affects the actual development of individual kids.â
According to Anderson, âquestioning is a good thing,â adding, âHow are you going to find out if you are lockstep with whatever conclusion you come to first?â
NPR reported only about 150,000 American youth say they are Transgender.
A report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law claims more than 54,000 Transgender youth ages 13 through 17 who are transitioning are at risk of losing gender-affirming care amid a wave of LGBTQ related bills led by Republicans, as NPR reported.
âIn each of these states, the bills would either criminalize health care providers who provide gender-affirming care to minors or subject them to discipline from state licensing boards,â the report says.
Lead study author Kerith Conron said in a statement research âshows that gender-affirming care improves mental health and overall well-being of Transgender people, including youth.â
Last month, the White House commented on the mental health aspect of transitioning.
âTransgender children are put at higher risk of attempted suicide or mental health challenges when they face bullying, rejection, or denial of health care,â the administration said in a statement.
