Why are so many girls questioning their gender?

 In 2009 the NHS's  gender identity development service (Gids) saw fewer than 50 children a year. Since then demand has increased a hundredfold, with more than 5,000 seeking help in 2021-2022.

Head of a Girl
Albert Lynch (1860-1950)
Photo Credit: Manchester Art Gallery [CC BY-NC-ND]

In her review of gender services, Dr Hilary Cass said there had been a "dramatic increase" in presentations to gender clinics in a decade and, in particular, a rise in birth-registered females... There is no single explanation for these rises, her review concluded. But it says various factors may explain the increase in predominantly birth registered females presenting to gender services in early adolescence.

Social Media and the internet

The report says girls spend more hours using social media than boys. A study cited by Cass found 43% of girls used social media for three or more hours a day compared with 22% of boys. A systematic review highlighted by the Cass report found use of social media was associated with body image concerns. Numerous other studies cited by the report implicate phone and social media use in mental distress and suicidality among young people, particularly girls.

Peer and socio-cultural influence

...It's clear the influence of peers is "very powerful during adolescence"...

Several studies have implied that girls are more affected by peer pressure than boys, and are more likely to develop a negative body image during adolescence... a focus group of gender-questioning young people and their parents, who spoke to the review, said that they often found online information "that describes normal adolescent discomfort as a possible sign of being trans and that particular influencers have had a substantial impact on their child's beliefs and understanding of their gender."

Dangerous online influencers

...Cass says the influencers "are legion" but declined to identify any.

Mental Health

...There has been a substantial increase in rates of mental health problems in children and young people, with increased anxiety and depression being evident in teenage girls, UK national surveys between 1999 and 2017 show. The review found a "marked increase" in females aged 16-24 presenting with anxiety, depression and self-harm.

Changes in concepts of gender and sexuality 

...The report says it is "common in adolescence to experience same-sex attraction and not to conform to gender stereotypes. In making sense of these feelings young people are now having to navigate an increasingly complex interplay between sex and gender."

(Andrew Gregory, Tobi Thomas, Amelia Gentleman, The Guardian, 2024)

The necessity for developing critical thinking skills becomes apparent after reading about the many elements that bombard the young of today. Social media, the internet, online influencers etc all need to be examined with a healthy dose of questioning and scepticism.