Psychologist and author Chris Ferguson, a professor at Stetson University, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to discuss new data showing a drop in the number of young Americans identifying as transgender or non-binary, and what it reveals about changing cultural and social dynamics.
Ferguson said the decline in trans identification among Gen Z appears to challenge earlier theories that linked rising gender-fluid identities directly to social media use. “Kids are spending as much or more time on social media than before,” he noted. “So if social media were the main driver, we’d expect those numbers to keep climbing.” Instead, he believes broader cultural factors — such as the waning novelty of gender ideology and reduced institutional pressure to conform to activist narratives — are playing a larger role.
He argued that for much of the past decade, public discourse created strong incentives for young people to adopt nontraditional gender identities while discouraging open debate. “There was a period where questioning any part of the narrative made you a villain,” Ferguson said. “Now, as that pressure eases, we’re seeing correction.”
Ferguson also pointed to “detransitioners” — people who regret gender transitions — as key voices shifting public sentiment. “Their stories are getting out despite media gatekeeping,” he said. “When people hear firsthand how some were rushed into medical decisions, it encourages more caution.”
On the issue of minors and medical transition, Ferguson emphasized the need for stricter safeguards. “Even adults struggle with identity,” he said. “It’s unreasonable to assume an 11-year-old knows who they are for life. A careful psychological evaluation and a ‘wait-and-see’ approach should be the norm, not the exception.”
Addressing the broader debate over social media’s impact on youth mental health, Ferguson pushed back on recent efforts — including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed “social media tax” — that liken it to tobacco or alcohol. “Every generation needs its new moral panic,” he said. “The data simply don’t show that social media use predicts poor mental health. Family instability and school stress are far stronger predictors.”
Ferguson concluded that while technology and culture both influence young people, the current shift away from identity-based tribalism could signal a return to balance. “Trends rise and fall,” he said. “But truth has a way of reasserting itself once people feel safe enough to speak honestly.”