I found the last two episodes (and first two!) to be really interesting. I wonder Annette if you have any plans of speaking with people from the transgender community to hear what their thoughts are when it comes to the rising number of young girls and adult men wanting to transition. I am also curious to know more about conversion therapy and why it is so wrong to at least question people’s claims when it comes to gender identity, especially when it comes to the health of children.
When my son, who has an older sister, was 4 he went through a stage of wanting to wear dresses/skirts to school. TWO people mentioned that perhaps it was because he wanted to be a girl, including his well-meaning teacher. It still blows my mind until today that just because a boy wants to wear “girl clothes” then he must want to be a girl, instead of simply accepting that all types of clothes are for everyone.
That is so interesting to hear about the stage your son went through Denise. It's really common for young boys to enjoy dressing up and things like nail polish etc, especially when they see their older sisters doing it. And why shouldn't they? It's great fun! I agree that the message we send our kids should be that all clothes are for everyone and there is no need for parents or teachers to make it a big deal out of it. If a four year old likes sparkles it is simply not a problem, just let him enjoy it.
What worries me is when adults place undue significance on this natural behaviour and start suggesting that some kind of action needs to be taken to solve this "problem" (what problem??). The example Silvia Carrasco gave in episode 2 about the teacher of her friend's five year old twins informing the parents that one of the boys was a girl because he played with the "girls toys" was very disturbing. I think you'll be interested in Episode 3 which is going to focus on education. One of the things we'll talk about is how some of the teaching materials being used in schools actually reinforce gender stereotypes rather than trying to overcome them. Luckily some feminist teachers are trying to change this, as you'll hear.
And to your other point about a potential guest from the trans community who might have a different, perhaps more positive, perspective on the rising number of young people transitioning - I would definitely be open to having an honest conversation with someone who took an opposing view, but I would make two observations. Firstly, the predominant mainstream narrative in the media, culture and society (and the law!) is that childhood transition is positive "life-saving care" and that any questioning of this approach is an attack on trans rights. I do want to question this narrative and so my priority is to speak to people who can talk about the side of the argument that gets less media attention (that is, the gender critical side). Nevertheless, I would like to have a serious conversation with someone who took an opposing view at some point. My second observation is that I think finding such a person willing to come on a gender critical podcast and actually engage in the arguments would be very difficult. I could be wrong about that! (any takers?) Often the strategy of trans activists is to refuse to engage and dismiss the gender critical side as hateful, but as I say, I'm willing to be proved wrong!
But as for conversion therapy, yes we will definitely be covering that. I am looking for a psychologist who can come on to talk about affirmation, conversion therapy, and the role of therapists in all this. Watch this space!
Yes! When it comes to conversion therapy, I am reminded of a documentary I watched where so many girls at the age of puberty were transitioning not because they wanted to be boys, but because they were so uncomfortable in their own body. 😔 If the therapist had just taken their desire for wanting to transition as is, they never would have discovered that. I am not against transitioning per se, my biggest concern is always for the children and their general health and well being.
Have you read the book Pageboy by Elliot Page (formerly Ellen Page)? I found it really interesting to read his experience.
Good luck finding a trans activist to speak with! It seems like it would be a tall order, especially since we would also want them to be able to speak in in English and be knowledgeable about what’s happening in Spain.
So informative. Thank you so much!
I found the last two episodes (and first two!) to be really interesting. I wonder Annette if you have any plans of speaking with people from the transgender community to hear what their thoughts are when it comes to the rising number of young girls and adult men wanting to transition. I am also curious to know more about conversion therapy and why it is so wrong to at least question people’s claims when it comes to gender identity, especially when it comes to the health of children.
When my son, who has an older sister, was 4 he went through a stage of wanting to wear dresses/skirts to school. TWO people mentioned that perhaps it was because he wanted to be a girl, including his well-meaning teacher. It still blows my mind until today that just because a boy wants to wear “girl clothes” then he must want to be a girl, instead of simply accepting that all types of clothes are for everyone.
That is so interesting to hear about the stage your son went through Denise. It's really common for young boys to enjoy dressing up and things like nail polish etc, especially when they see their older sisters doing it. And why shouldn't they? It's great fun! I agree that the message we send our kids should be that all clothes are for everyone and there is no need for parents or teachers to make it a big deal out of it. If a four year old likes sparkles it is simply not a problem, just let him enjoy it.
What worries me is when adults place undue significance on this natural behaviour and start suggesting that some kind of action needs to be taken to solve this "problem" (what problem??). The example Silvia Carrasco gave in episode 2 about the teacher of her friend's five year old twins informing the parents that one of the boys was a girl because he played with the "girls toys" was very disturbing. I think you'll be interested in Episode 3 which is going to focus on education. One of the things we'll talk about is how some of the teaching materials being used in schools actually reinforce gender stereotypes rather than trying to overcome them. Luckily some feminist teachers are trying to change this, as you'll hear.
And to your other point about a potential guest from the trans community who might have a different, perhaps more positive, perspective on the rising number of young people transitioning - I would definitely be open to having an honest conversation with someone who took an opposing view, but I would make two observations. Firstly, the predominant mainstream narrative in the media, culture and society (and the law!) is that childhood transition is positive "life-saving care" and that any questioning of this approach is an attack on trans rights. I do want to question this narrative and so my priority is to speak to people who can talk about the side of the argument that gets less media attention (that is, the gender critical side). Nevertheless, I would like to have a serious conversation with someone who took an opposing view at some point. My second observation is that I think finding such a person willing to come on a gender critical podcast and actually engage in the arguments would be very difficult. I could be wrong about that! (any takers?) Often the strategy of trans activists is to refuse to engage and dismiss the gender critical side as hateful, but as I say, I'm willing to be proved wrong!
But as for conversion therapy, yes we will definitely be covering that. I am looking for a psychologist who can come on to talk about affirmation, conversion therapy, and the role of therapists in all this. Watch this space!
Yes! When it comes to conversion therapy, I am reminded of a documentary I watched where so many girls at the age of puberty were transitioning not because they wanted to be boys, but because they were so uncomfortable in their own body. 😔 If the therapist had just taken their desire for wanting to transition as is, they never would have discovered that. I am not against transitioning per se, my biggest concern is always for the children and their general health and well being.
Have you read the book Pageboy by Elliot Page (formerly Ellen Page)? I found it really interesting to read his experience.
Good luck finding a trans activist to speak with! It seems like it would be a tall order, especially since we would also want them to be able to speak in in English and be knowledgeable about what’s happening in Spain.