Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture Transgenderism and Neuroscience (with Steven Willing)
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Feb 11, 2025 Steven Willing, a board-certified neuroradiologist and author, dives into the intersection of neuroscience and gender. He explores how brain studies can illuminate distinct characteristics of male and female minds while questioning the social constructs of gender. The conversation highlights the complexities around transgender identity, the interplay of biological and social factors, and the implications for young individuals facing gender dysphoria. Willing offers guidance for parents navigating these challenging issues, emphasizing caution and the importance of professional support.
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Gender Definition Challenges
- Defining gender is increasingly difficult due to its separation from biological sex.
- The EU's attempt to define sex and gender in a $4 million project failed.
Varying Views on Gender
- The transgender community has diverse views on gender, with some considering it a mental illness, others a normal variation, and some a social construct.
- DSM-5 depathologized transgenderism, changing the diagnosis to gender dysphoria, focusing on distress rather than identity.
Neuroscience and Gender
- Neuroscience shows subtle, yet significant, differences between male and female brains through functional MRI and behavioral studies.
- Male brains tend to be more systems-oriented and risk-taking, while female brains tend to be more empathetic and risk-averse.
