The Gender Framework A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Guide for Professionals and Families

Gender dysphoria was once an extremely rare diagnosis among young people. But over the past decade, the number of minors identifying as transgender has skyrocketed. At a time when any discussion of this phenomenon and its real-world effects is increasingly politicized and polarized, The Gender Framework offers a clear, evidence-based, and non-medicalized approach to understanding gender-related distress. By drawing on expertise from biology, psychology, philosophy, sociology, law, medicine, and education, it provides a balanced and practical guide for those who must navigate the challenges of gender-related distress in their daily work and personal lives—including teachers, counselors, coaches, prison officials, administrators, medical professionals, therapists, and, most of all, parents and guardians. Rather than treating gender distress as a purely medical issue, The Gender Framework recognizes the complex cultural, psychological, and social factors at play. It empowers readers to make informed, compassionate, and thoughtful decisions, ensuring that the rights and well-being of all individuals are respected—whether at school, at work, or at home. Ultimately, The Gender Framework is a call for greater humility, open-mindedness, and constructive dialogue, offering a way forward in a debate too often dominated by divisive rhetoric and dogma.

Stella O’ Malley is a psychotherapist and best-selling author whose work focuses on teenagers, parenting, and family dynamics. In addition to facilitating a parent coaching site that provides practical help to parents who are navigating their child’s gender-related distress, she is the director of Genspect, an international organization that offers a healthy approach to sex and gender.