Katie McCoy discusses defining what a woman is, the confusion over female identity, and gender affirming treatments for minor children. She explores the rise of gender dysphoria in young girls, the relationship between gender dysphoria and suicidal ideation, and the significance of transition stories and intersectionality. McCoy's insights on womanhood and mental health shed light on society's inconsistencies.
The podcast explores the confusion in society about gender and how to define what a woman is, highlighting the increasing number of cases of gender dysphoria among young girls and the influence of social media and peer contagion.
The podcast emphasizes the impact of societal messages and social media on the rise in gender dysphoria, discussing the vulnerability and suggestibility of teenagers, the exploitation of girls during adolescence, and the pressure created by social media for self-perception conformity.
Deep dives
Understanding the Confusion around Gender Identity
The podcast episode discusses the confusion in society about gender and how to define what a woman is. It explores the increasing number of cases of gender dysphoria and the majority of patients being young girls. The influence of social media, peer contagion, and philosophical questions about identity are identified as contributing factors. It delves into the concept of social contagion, where someone's actions or beliefs affect others, and how this influences the rise in transgender identities among teenagers. The importance of addressing underlying mental health issues and providing appropriate therapy rather than solely affirming gender transitions is emphasized.
The Impact of Societal Messages and Social Media
The podcast highlights the impact of societal messages and social media on the increase in gender dysphoria. It discusses how cultural suspicion of majority views and the rejection of heteronormativity play a role. The vulnerability and suggestibility of teenagers, along with their desire for attention, validation, and identity formation, are identified as factors. The exploitation of girls and their normal insecurities and angst during adolescence is highlighted. The influence of social media in spreading messages of non-binary identities and the pressure it creates for self-perception conformity are also addressed.
Insights on Gender Dysphoria and Treatment
The podcast explores different stages of treatment for gender dysphoria. It distinguishes social transition, hormone therapy, and surgical transition methods. The reversible nature of social transition is discussed, but its impact on self-perception and confirmation is noted. The potential risks and known effects of hormonal treatments, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, are highlighted. The severe and irreversible consequences of surgical transition methods are also addressed. It emphasizes the importance of understanding underlying mental health issues and the need for comprehensive therapy instead of relying solely on gender-affirming care.
During the Senate Confirmation hearings of the latest Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked to define the term “woman.” Her answer reflected the confusion in the culture about gender. How would you define what a woman is? On what basis would you make that determination? How should we think about the number of minor children undergoing gender affirming treatments, and those who are de-transitioning? Join Scott as he discusses these questions and more with his guest Katie McCoy and her new book To Be a Woman: The Confusion over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond.
Katie McCoy serves as director of Women’s Ministry at Texas Baptists (Baptist General Convention of Texas). She holds a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she previously served on faculty. She blogs regularly on the site blondeorthodoxy.
Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.
To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
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