One of the biggest pitfalls in the research on persistence and desistence of gender dysphoria in youth has been the shortcomings of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for the condition, which were overly broad and resulted in studies wrongly including children who were merely gender-nonconforming as being “gender dysphoric”. This compromised the value of findings on rates of desistance, as the finding that many youth in this combined group do not experience gender dysphoria means little if they may have never been experiencing gender dysphoria.
Ironically, another poorly-constructed, overbroad “diagnosis” now threatens to compromise our understanding of the development of gender dysphoria in youth, and miscategorizes these youth in a similar fashion. The alleged condition of “rapid-onset gender dysphoria”, a hoax launched by three anti-trans groups, is so vague that it poses a risk of improperly diagnosing genuinely dysphoric trans youth as instead having this new fictional disorder. This condition has not been scientifically validated to any degree, with the only known study using anonymous answers online from parents who were part of those three anti-trans groups. Continue reading
In these dark times, I think we can all agree that it is a modern tragedy to see so many straight American men who are unable to find women who will satisfy and settle down with them. These involuntarily celibate men or “incels” tragically do not possess the necessary skills and strength to attract women. Their frustration and aggression, often contributors to their pitiable situations, go unfocused and unchecked until finally they erupt, acquire AR-15s, and unload into classrooms, churches, and other crowds. It’s a senseless waste of energy and life.
