Cohort Change in Attitudes About Adolescent Gender Transitions Between 2018 and 2025

Abstract

Abstract Medical gender transition for adolescents who identify as transgender is a contentious topic. The previous research evaluated data from respondents interviewed in 2018 and examined predictors of support for adolescent hormonal and surgical transitioning. Nevertheless, much has changed in public debates since that time. The present study evaluates data from a 2025 nationally representative survey which fielded a series of questions identical to those posed in 2018 in order to examine changes in attitudes among English-speaking American adults about gender dysphoric adolescents medically transitioning for the purpose of gender affirmation. Results indicate significant decreases in support between 2018 and 2025 for such medical transitioning. We examine cross-sectional, period changes, and changes within birth cohorts. Significant increases in disagreement with medical transitioning appear for all age cohorts born in 1988 or earlier. Given this changing landscape, we reexamine predictors of support for adolescent medical transition.