Transing ChildrenTransgender guidance for schools ‘based on flawed data’ - The Times Scotland

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[–][deleted] 12 insightful - 1 fun12 insightful - 0 fun13 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

So much trans stuff is based on faulty studies like this and we're the ones being accused of being anti-science. It's ridiculous.

[–]reluctant_commenter[S] 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

direct link to article: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/transgender-guidance-for-schools-based-on-flawed-data-rp8scscll?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1629094343

Cherrypicked statistics to further the narrative that transgender children are at an extreme risk of suicide and must be affirmed at all costs.

From the article:

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the education secretary, last week unveiled 70 pages of practical but not binding suggestions that are meant to make life easier for some of the country’s most vulnerable young people. However, a section which suggests that 57 per cent of trans youths with unsupportive parents attempted to take their own lives has come under scrutiny. The figure was based on research that was carried out by the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto and Delisle Youth Services in 2012. ...

A former government official observed that these numbers came from a sample that was:

  • not randomly sampled

  • had only 84 people

  • was on age ranges 16-24 so not directly applicable for younger students, who this 70-page document is ostensibly about.

The idea that about 60% of children 15 years or younger attempt suicide if they have a parent who is "unsupportive" (vague word) of their transgender identification is really extreme, and requires better evidence than that.

The document also suggests that some trans children are so worried about going to the toilet that they avoid drinking at school. Schools have been advised to introduce modesty curtains in changing rooms and make disabled lavatories available to transgender children to make life easier for them.

[–]julesburm1891 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I have never been able to fathom why the trans lobby wants to cite faulty studies to claim that trans people are exceptionally prone to suicide. I understand they’re trying to emotionally manipulate others, but all it actually does is scream, “This is mental illness” to anyone halfway paying attention. Plus, when it comes under any scrutiny, it falls apart and makes their camp look like fools.

[–]supersmokio6420 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

They're convinced the alleged rate is all down to transphobia. Suicide because of all the abuse and rejection rather than because of any effect of the condition itself.

Of course, this wasn't observed in gay people or any other group that suffered abuse and rejection, so it doesn't explain it, but that tends to be their answer.

They'll also use the opposite justification, that it is caused by the condition, when arguing for medical intervention in trans-identifying children/teens.

[–]reluctant_commenter[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

To be fair, I think LGB people also have a higher risk of suicide than the general population. But you never hear that brought up and used to manipulate the general public in the way that the claimed suicide rates of the transgender population are.

Some of the biggest differences between LGB and T suicide rates: a) transgender suicide rate claims are often made on extremely faulty or non-generalizable studies, such as the ones described in this article; b) transgender suicide rates are claimed to be EXTREMELY high, high past the point of disbelief, and (I would need to double check this by country, but) they seem high enough that they don't match the number of deaths reported; c) transgender suicide rate claims are used in an emotionally manipulative manner. "I'm going to commit suicide, therefore give me exactly what I want!" is an emotionally abusive tactic, and I think it's one that many people in the general public aren't familiar with, so they don't recognize it as such.

[–]Neo_Shadow_LurkerPronouns: I/Don't/Care 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

However, a section which suggests that 57 per cent of trans youths with unsupportive parents attempted to take their own lives has come under scrutiny.

Not surprising.

They change the numbers on such a great frequency that it's hard to keep up. Yesterday, it was 41%, now it's 57%.