A recent Pew Research Center study found that U.S. teenagers are more likely than adults to believe that gender is determined by the sex assigned at birth. The study, published in January 2025, surveyed Americans on their beliefs about gender identity, their personal connections to transgender and nonbinary individuals and the influence of political affiliation and geography on these views.
Why It Matters
The study highlights the complex and evolving nature of discussions around gender identity in the U.S. While younger generations are often perceived as more progressive on social issues, this research suggests that many teens still align with traditional beliefs about gender. The data also underscores how political affiliation, geography and personal relationships with transgender and nonbinary individuals influence these beliefs.
Understanding these dynamics is essential as debates over gender identity continue in education, policy and social settings. The findings could impact discussions on school policies, healthcare access for transgender youth and broader conversations about gender inclusivity in American society.
What to Know
The data from Pew Research determined that of all teens surveyed, 69 percent believed gender is determined by sex assigned at birth, while 65 percent of adults surveyed said the same.
Political affiliation plays a major role in shaping views on gender. Among Democratic teens, opinions are split. Fifty percent say gender is determined by birth sex, while 49 percent believe it can differ. In contrast, 88 percent of Republican teens believe that gender is determined by birth sex.
This partisan divide mirrors trends seen among adults, where Democrats are more likely to support gender fluidity, while Republicans lean toward a biological definition of gender.
Geographical differences also influence beliefs. Teens in rural areas (75 percent) are more likely than those in urban (66 percent) and suburban areas (67 percent) to believe that gender is determined at birth. This pattern follows broader cultural and political trends, as rural areas tend to be more conservative than urban centers.
Personal connections also play a significant role in shaping gender-related beliefs. The study found that teens are less likely than adults to personally know someone who is transgender but are more likely to know someone who identifies as nonbinary.
These relationships can influence perspectives, as individuals who personally know transgender or nonbinary people are more likely to support the idea that gender identity can differ from birth sex. More data from earlier Pew Research studies support that " A slight majority of Americans who know a transgender person (54%) say that someone can be a man or a woman even if that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth."
What People Are Saying
Anna Brown, a research associate at the Pew Reseach Center, said in a Q&A on this topic: "Americans' views on gender identity and transgender issues are complex and nuanced. A majority of U.S. adults say that whether someone is a man or woman is determined by the sex they were assigned at birth, and this share has been rising. There is also a fair amount of support for restricting medical care for gender transitions among minors and requiring trans athletes to compete on teams that match their sex assigned at birth. At the same time, there's wide support for laws and policies that would protect trans people from discrimination. The public is divided on whether our society still has work to do when it comes to accepting people who are transgender or if society has gone too far in this regard."
What's Next
As discussions about gender identity continue to shape public policy and social norms, the findings of this study provide critical insights into generational and ideological divides. Schools, policymakers and advocacy groups may use this data to guide future conversations on gender inclusivity, curriculum development and youth mental health services.
While the study shows that younger generations are not necessarily more progressive on gender identity than their elders, shifting societal attitudes and continued debates may influence these views over time. Future research will likely explore how exposure to diverse perspectives, social media influence and policy changes impact the evolving landscape of gender beliefs in the U.S.
English (US) ·