Reasonable Gender Scholar Explains Inherent Problems with Gender Ideology
Dr. Leonard Sax, a moderate voice on the differences between boys and girls, published a very helpful piece for the Institute for Family Studies blog. The topic was on the most pressing problems with “trans” and gender ideology as it relates to our children.
It is brief and well worth reading by all interested in this important topic.
Sax, who holds both a Ph.D. and M.D., is a clinical psychologist, author and has published in numerous scholarly journals. When he sold his family medical practice in 2008, Sax had many pediatric patients who expressed same-sex attraction. However, he never had one “transgender” patient. “Not one” he reiterates.
He explains, “Today, transgender individuals are common. But as recently as 17 years ago, they were rare.” He adds, “A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that between 2016 and 2019, the number of Americans undergoing gender affirmation surgery nearly tripled.”
How is this possible?
The answer isn’t complicated. Sax holds, “We have learned that gender identity is much more susceptible to cultural influences than was previously suspected – cultural influences such as what kids are taught in school and what they see and hear on social media.”
Yes, being “transgender” is a not a medical issue, but a psychological one often stemming from social contagion.
Dr. Sax is highly critical of school districts actively indoctrinating very young children and their older peers in baseless gender ideology. He has spent the time to document what’s happening in schools.
Sax references books made available to Pre-K through Third grade students about opportunities to switch sexes.
These books openly challenge basic biology and offer deceptive falsehoods.
“The children were told that when you are born, the doctors make a ‘guess’ about whether you are a boy or a girl, but sometimes the doctors guess wrong, and then, when you are four or five years old, you have to tell your parents that the doctors guessed wrong.”
A group of parents who were denied opting their children out of such unscientific lessons – of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths – have taken their case all the way to the Supreme Court in Mahmoud v. Taylor. Oral arguments will take place on April 22.
Dr. Sax goes on to explain some of the documented long-term psychological and medical effects of transgender identity and the medications used to mask one’s male or femaleness. He also explains how unfounded and terribly manipulative the all-too familiar warning from medical and mental health professionals – “Would you rather have a live son or a dead daughter?” – really is.
Five years ago, the National Health Service in the U.K. appointed Dr. Hilary Cass, former President of the Royal College of Paediatrics, to review the entire body of research from around the world on transgender kids and issue a report on her findings. Her team published the report last year, and Dr. Sax explains they “found no evidence that transition decreases the risk of suicide.”
He explains how this came before the United States Supreme Court in December. ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, noting the Cass Commission findings, had to acknowledge “there is no evidence in some – in the studies that this treatment reduces completed suicide.” The Daily Citizen reported on that turn of events at the time.
Sax also details how “transgender” identity is nearly always associated with other psychological and emotional problems that too often get ignored and conveniently catalogued under a “trans” diagnosis. He explains how social media use exacerbates this manipulation.
Sax observes, “Twenty years ago, nobody would have guessed that watching a video on social media would lead a girl to doubt that she was a girl.”
How can families stand against these deceptive manipulations?
Dr. Sax’s answer largely aligns with advice Focus on the Family would give; it’s very important for young children to live in a home with a married mother and father. It’s crucial for children to witness daily the diverse and healthy examples of what moms and dads do as sex-distinct parents. He also recommends significantly limiting our children’s social media and smart phone use.
Sax also explains that gender activists are the ones getting tangled up in harmful gender stereotypes. Girls who like mechanical things and physical combat are told they are actually a boy and should “transition.” Boys who are more artistic and sensitive are told the same thing. Both should be taught how to do such things as the healthy girl or boy that they are.
Dr. Sax concludes, saying, “There is more than one way to be a good man. There is more than one way to be a good woman. We need to celebrate the diversity of gender, acknowledging that there are many ways to be a woman and to be a man. But at the same time, we need to encourage girls to become women, not men.”
Our children and families need protection against the lies of gender ideology. Dr. Leonard Sax’s article, along with data provided by other careful researchers, are helpful to all seeking to discern the truth on these important matters.
Related Articles and Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with transgenderism or other sexuality issues, and you don’t know where to turn, Focus on the Family is here to help.
Focus offers a one-time counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor free of charge thanks to generous donor support. If you would like to request a consultation with Focus’ Counseling Department, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Mountain Time) or complete our Counseling Consultation Request Form.
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