Boob Jobs, Bell Bottoms and Sex Change Drugs

What do they have in common? Part 8 of the Transgender Campaign

Social contagion is real.  It is defined as “a ubiquitous process by which information, such as attitudes, emotions, or behaviors, are rapidly spread throughout a group from one member to others without rational thought and reason”.  As we have seen repeatedly throughout history this spread occurs even when obvious logical arguments to the contrary are present.

Our tendency towards contagion is one reason marketing dominates our society.  The goal of most marketing campaigns whether they be for products, ideas and/or political candidates is social contagion.  There are endless benign and harmful examples. 

Years ago, Big Mouth Billy Bass (a mounted singing fish) reportedly raked in $100 million.  Fashion design houses have exerted significant influence on the public over the decades.  The abominable bell bottoms, high cut, low cut, skintight, wide leg, cuffed, short shorts, long shorts, etc.  Once the market becomes saturated with skinny jeans, for example, wide legs are introduced, influencers mobilized to spark contagion and the money flows. 

Harmful contagions include the European witch hunts which resulted in tens of thousands of murders, the spread of eating disorders among adolescent female peer groups and teen self-harm such as cutting. 

In recent decades cosmetic surgery, fashion for the body, offers an interesting window into social contagion. Why else would an otherwise intelligent women insert bags of gel in her body and be happy about it?  The first breast augmentation was done in 1952.  There are now an average of 310,000 of these surgeries per year as indicated in the chart below published by the Surgical Times. 

Influencers such as Pamela Anderson of Baywatch and the Kardashians helped sparked the initial bigger is better trend.  Breast augmentation became and still is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. However the fashion trend has changed as detailed by the National Association of Plastic Surgeons (NAPS): “Procedures focused on the body remain highly popular, and 2023 saw continued movement toward a more natural and athletic physique. Dubbed the "ballet body," this figure is known for its emphasis on a harmonious, proportionate and elegantly contoured body shape.”

Translation - smaller boobs.  No surprise, breast implant removals and/or replacement with smaller implants are trending significantly upwards. 

As the “ballet body” trend deepens, some celebrities are championing a return of the “heroin chic” body trend.  When this trend first surfaced in the 1990s, young women succumbed to social contagion and embraced eating disorders to become unnaturally skinny.  Will we see this again?

Meanwhile there is yet another trend impacting young women and adolescent girls that goes well beyond cosmetic fashion surgeries.  The Free Press reports that Planned Parenthood “… has also, in less than a decade, become the country’s leading provider of gender transition hormones for young adults, according to insurance claim data. In 2015, around two dozen of their clinics began offering this service. Now it’s available at nearly 450 locations. Insurance claim information provided to The Free Press by the Manhattan Institute shows that at least 40,000 patients went to Planned Parenthood for this purpose last year alone, a number that has risen tenfold since 2017. The largest proportion, about 40 percent, were 18- to 22-year-olds.”  Emphasis added.   There are many other clinics who supply these drugs, therefore the total number of patients is larger than 40,000. 

Trends matter.  Will the number of girls and young women seeking to masculinize increase to 310,000 patients annually as with breast augmentation? 

The sharp increase is worrisome.  Equally disturbing is how easy it is for these women to get testosterone.  The Free Press reports that Planned Parenthood admitted: “Most of our patients can get a hormone prescription at the end of their first visit with us.”  Destransitioners have confirmed quick prescriptions without psychological evaluation even in the presence of other serious mental health conditions. 

A women can change her mind and remove breast implants but, depending on how long she is on testosterone, there is no going back from sex change drugs.  She may never regain normal sexual function or fertility.  Her uterus and vagina will atrophy requiring eventual hysterectomy.  Her clitoris will be permanently enlarged and potentially painful.  She will also develop a deeper voice, male musculature and body/facial hair.  Long term complications include increased risk of heart disease, stroke, weight gain, blood clots, bone fractures and hormone-dependent cancers. 

Note this trend is present in other western countries whose cultures have also been steeped in gender ideology.  Society for Evidenced Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) has a wealth of data on this phenomenon plus rates of detransition.  Their article entitled “Sharp Increase in Incidence of Gender Dysphoria in Children and Young People” located at the bottom of their home page is essential reading.  Below is one of several examples provided. Note data collection has finally begun in the United States but has proven difficult due to the decentralized nature of health care facilities.

Because the health and societal consequences of sex change drugs and surgery are far more serious than boob jobs and bell bottom jeans, it seems imperative that in depth studies be conducted to understand why so many more minors and young adults, some with significant mental health challenges, want to become the opposite sex or no sex. 

Unfortunately those who have conducted such studies have been canceled and ridiculed for their efforts as Lisa Littman can attest to.  She published a research paper in 2018 titled “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Study of Parental Reports” and was subsequently terminated from her consulting position at Brown University. 

In an interview with Quilette, Dr. Littman states: “This research explores, through the reports of parents, a phenomenon whereby teens and young adults who did not exhibit childhood signs of gender issues appeared to suddenly identify as transgender. This new identification seemed to occur in the context of either belonging to a group of friends [in which] multiple—or even all—members became transgender-identified around the same time, or through immersion in social media, or both.”  The short version, social contagion is a factor. 

Michael Bailey and Suzanna Diaz published “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria: Parent Reports on 1655 Possible Cases,” in March 2023.  The publisher retracted it after intense criticism from trans activists.  This article by Michael Bailey outlines the circumstances. 

This SEGM synopsis and critique of the Bailey and Diaz report provides excellent insight.  An excerpt: “The question of the etiology of adolescent gender-related distress is critical. Without an understanding the etiology of this condition and its natural history, the development of safe and effective treatments is challenging. This study’s findings, along with a growing number of detransitioners who have endorsed the applicability of the ROGD theory in their own lives, should prompt the medical community to take ROGD seriously. This means engaging with this very plausible theory in good faith, rather than continuing to rely on straw man arguments in a concerted clinician-activists-led effort to debunk it.”  

Proponents of the medicalization of children suggest the increase is due to a greater societal acceptance of transgenderism.  While this may be true for a small percentage, the increases are too large and sudden for that simple explanation. Kids and young adults started flocking to gender clinics after the social media marketing of gender ideology began in earnest.  Logic suggests a link.  It is also logical that anyone whose priority is the physical and mental health of the country’s young people would welcome such studies, not seek to suppress them. 

As mentioned above, European countries are grappling with the same issues, but their studies of the increase do not appear to be subjected to the same level of attack. In fact, these studies have resulted in a number of countries banning medicalization of minors except in extreme cases. 

SEGM critically evaluated an important German study entitled “Gender Dysphoria and Anorexia in Adolescent Females”.  This research study examines “the sharp rise in transgender identification in adolescent females” and draws strong parallels between gender dysphoria and eating disorders.  One observation: “Secondly, gender incongruence and “being trans” are currently extremely socially and politically legitimized and have been defined as a matter of human rights in recent years, which is also reflected in the planned “law of self-determination”. As a result, those affected experience strong external validation and positive reinforcement in their disorder – which, according to the proponents of a transaffirmative care, should no longer be described as such." 

In other words, being trans is cool. Big boobs are cool. Ballet bodies are cool. Super skinny is cool. Big butts are cool.  Until they aren’t. 

The data, common sense and experiences of destransitioners strongly suggest social contagion is a serious factor.  Researchers should continue their studies to verify but to protect young people now from dangerous, irreversible medical treatments, parents should do everything possible to inoculate their kids from the tenets of gender theory which teach kids that they can be a boy, a girl, both or neither. Big Pharma and gender surgeons await with open arms should they listen. 

Equally important we should recognize that the rapid acceptance of gender ideology itself among adults is also a social contagion deserving of study.  What else besides contagion would cause people to agree that a novel theory of human sexuality should be promoted to kids as if it were fact?  A theory that states medicalization of minors and young adults is the best and, according to many, the only treatment for gender confusion.  Until we understand and stop this contagion among adults, children and young adults will be at risk.   

Please understand, however, that gender dysphoria is a real and potentially debilitating condition.  Prior to widespread marketing of gender theory and the medicalization embodied in “gender affirming” care, there had always been a very small number of children, mostly prepubescent boys, who developed persistent gender dysphoria.  Depending on the study between 61% - 98% became comfortable with their sex after puberty. 

If social contagion is the obvious factor it appears to be, coupled with the desistance rate mentioned in the above paragraph, how can permanent medicalization with drugs and surgery be the appropriate solution for adolescents and young adults?  This is simple logic.  We should return to conventional psychotherapy and ensure adults (after brain fully developed to minimize damage) can modify their bodies if they believe the serious potential health consequences outweigh their psychological distress. 

A major difference between the trend for young women to masculinize their bodies and other social contagions, is that it has been relentlessly promoted by the federal government under the Obama/Biden/Harris administrations, progressive governors, teachers’ unions, LGBTQ+ groups, major medical institutions, social media, etc.  It is a top down movement.  Can you imagine Biden stating: “All you girls starving yourself to death to be skinny, I have your back, you belong.  We affirm your choice to starve yourself and will force schools to teach all kids they can starve themselves too.”  Or “boob jobs for all!”

In summary, while we wait for research on social contagion both among young people and adults, parents should operate on the assumption that social contagion is a notable factor and protect their children in school and online from sex change influencers as they would from any other dangerous contagion. 

Concerned citizens can help by removing those from power who prioritize medicalization over psychotherapy and who legislate gender ideology as if it were a proven fact instead of a questionable theory.  A vote for Harris/Walz is a vote for novel gender theory in schools, the medicalization of minors and young adults, masculinizing a growing cohort of vulnerable young women and the opening of women’s spaces to biological men.

Please seriously research each candidate and vote to save our youth from the physical and psychological harms of medicalization.  Their future depends on your diligence and critical evaluation.   

SUGGESTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

Google searches on the concepts discussed above generally reveal glowing testaments to “gender affirming care” which is a euphemism for medicalization of youth for a condition they are likely to grow out of.  Many of these articles include a web of untruths that have increasingly been debunked by more rigorous studies.  These studies are often suppressed in searches.  Therefore quite a bit of effort is required for those who seek to understand this issue beyond the talking points.  To help, many important links are included above and below. 

·      For those who need a primer on the difference between gender ideology and gender dysphoria please read a previous articled entitled “Exposing the Underbelly of Gender Ideology”.

·      Please note Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, is all aboard the campaign to medicalize youth.  It appears he has no understanding of the data referenced above which makes him and politicians like him incredibly dangerous for troubled youth.  His nickname “Tampon Tim” is the result of adding tampons to boys’ bathrooms, a classic example of a subtle, manipulative technique to expose children to novel and unproven gender theory. 

·      A good place to begin one’s research is Abigail Shrier’s book “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters”.

·      “How did Planned Parenthood Become One of the Largest Suppliers of Testosterone” by Jennifer Block highlights both the data and personal stories of detransitioners.  “For Hineman, the whole project of gender identity was “kind of like a punk thing,” she says. But rather than sex, drugs, and rock and roll, it was just drugs. And surgery. “It’s a medicalized version of normal teen rebellion. And I got completely sucked into that.”” 

·      “The Testosterone Hangover” by Suzi Weiss. 

·      “Largest Study to Date Supports Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria Model” by Michael Bailey and Suzanna Diaz.  SEGM’s critique provides excellent context.

·      The organization Do No Harm recently published a data site called “Stop the Harm” which highlights the number of sex change treatments being performed on minors at US healthcare facilities.  The good news is that 2023 saw a decrease in medicalized treatments.  Hopefully this is due to people waking up to the psychological and physical dangers associated with “gender affirming” care.

·      An earlier Reuters study titled “Youth in Transition” details the increasing numbers of minors (6-17) being diagnosed, drugged and cut.  Note these numbers likely underestimate the actual totals because some pay out of pocket or do not indicate gender dysphoria as the diagnosis. 

·      Unfortunately, US data for the total number of minors diagnosed annually with gender dysphoria over an extended period does not appear to have been compiled yet.  A chart of this nature would pinpoint when the patient numbers began to skyrocket.  This eye opening data for the Amsterdam clinic in the Netherlands is included in the Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) critique of a Netherlands study.  It also demonstrates how data can be misrepresented to support gender theory and medicalization. 

·      The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the first US medical association to break ranks and denounce “gender affirming’ care for minors.  This is an important development as outlined by this City Journal article, “A Consensus No Longer”.  “The main justification for “gender-affirming care” for minors in the United States has been that “all major U.S. medical associations” support it.”  Not anymore. I wonder if the growing number of lawsuits by detransitioners who were rushed into medicalization has something to do with their new position. 

·      Gender ideology is embedded in many of our primary and secondary schools which contributes to the possibility for contagion.  California was the first state to include history on LGBT individuals in 2011 and by 2020 the Second Edition of the National Sex Education standards was published.  One highlighted change was “continued evolution in language related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and sexual identity.”  The update broke “gender identity” and “sexual orientation and identity” into two topic strands “to better reflect that these are separate areas of identity that should not be conflated”.  By the end of the second grade students should be able to “define gender, gender identity and gender role stereotypes”. 

As we examined in “Beliefs, Biases and Bad Ideas”, the concept of gender identity as distinct from one’s sex is a recent concept, championed by a man named John Money who performed unethical sexual experiments on young kids.  The pressing question, which is rarely asked, is why a new, unproven and illogical ideology that suggests we are not a sexually binary species should be taught to children as fact? 

·      This 2022 Washington Post article summarizes how gender ideology is treated in various schools. 

·      Obama was the first president to push gender ideology mainstream.  This Washington Post article details his legislative efforts.  While this article is supportive of his actions, those who understand gender ideology will see how it was subtly but definitivly embedded into society. 

·      The first social media influencer pushing medicalized transition was Gigi Gorgeous who announced in 2013 that he was a she and went on to detail the procedures to feminize his body.  There are now many such influencers with millions of followers.  Influencers are an integral part of creating contagion.

·      One of many examples of the Biden/Harris administrations forcing gender ideology on the country is the proposed change to Title IX.  Consider reading this article by Ilya Shapiro who has recently filed briefs in lawsuits challenging the new regulations.  It should be noted that the first few pages of a google search on the Biden/Harris revised Title IX were all positive.  Please read both sides of this issue. 

·      Inserting gender theory into the culture was greatly assisted by the modification of language by its proponents.  Examples include “gender assigned at birth” and “people with uteruses”.  The use of pronouns is also a signal that one supports gender ideology as Kamala Harris has done in this video. 

·      Scientific American article that seeks to debunk the social contagion theory. 

·      Jen Christianson from CNN published “Gender affirming surgeries nearly tripled in US from 2016 to 2019” in August 2023.  Note this article positively supports sex change surgeries.  A good number of her statements have been refuted by recent studies many of which can be found on the SEGM website under the “Spotlight” tab. 

·      The cover photo above is from an article in Very Well Health in support of drugs to masculinize or feminize female and male bodies respectively. 

10.20.24 Update - Changed titled to more accurately reflect content.