As you've learned in this week's readings, gender identity is best defined as a social construct. This perspective is particularly important given recent debates about the social, developmental, and biological aspects of gender transition for transgender youth. In this short paper, you are asked to apply what you've learned to a recent debate about transgender youth.

In your paper, address the following areas:

• Identify a recent news media article about a policy, education, health, or safety issue related to youth who identify as transgender.
• Using your readings and scholarly resources, analyze the scientific merits of this debate. Consider what research, if any, supports the perspectives in the center of this debate. What are the consequences of the issue or problem at the center of the debate for transgender youth?
• What does research indicate as an adequate solution to the problem at the center of the debate?