Home › Science & debate › Watchful waiting in gender dysphoria

Watchful waiting in gender dysphoria

Watchful waiting is a clinical approach in which children with gender dysphoria are followed without early medical or social intervention, in order to observe how the dysphoria develops around puberty.

Background

Watchful waiting is a clinical approach in which children with gender dysphoria are followed without early medical or social intervention, in order to observe how the dysphoria develops around puberty. It is based on observations (Steensma 2013 and earlier studies) that in a substantial proportion of young children with gender dysphoria the dysphoria disappears before or during adolescence.

Discussion

Proponents of the gender-affirmative model criticise watchful waiting as amounting to denial of the child's feelings. Proponents of a more cautious approach — including the Cass Review — argue for an exploratory, non-affirmative, non-suppressive stance that takes time to map possible comorbidities and social factors.

Place in policy

Since the Scandinavian and British policy changes, watchful waiting (or comparable 'exploratory' approaches) has gained ground in youth gender care, especially before puberty.