Faith

Why Girls Become Boys

Published

2 years ago

March 30, 2021

PragerU is out with another great video, this one on why girls become boys. Watch this important and timely video below (transcript available below the video):

If you know any middle or high school girls today—or if you are one yourself—it would not be surprising if you know someone who identifies as transgender.

The latest statistics indicate that 2% of American high school students now identify as transgender—and the overwhelming majority of them are teenage girls. Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the number of females seeking gender surgery in America quadrupled.

But if you graduated high school over a decade ago, it was unlikely that you knew anyone who was transgender because, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the condition underlying it afflicted roughly 1 in 10,000 people, or .01% of the population.

Almost none of these cases were teenage girls. In fact, before 2012 there was no scientific or medical literature discussing adolescent girls who wanted to transition to the opposite sex.

That doesn’t mean that we didn’t know about transgender individuals. Gender Dysphoria—the severe discomfort in one’s biological sex—has been studied for nearly one hundred years. It almost always involved boys who began feeling it between the ages of 2 and 4 and were strong and persistent in their assertions to everyone around them that they were really girls.

When a phenomenon that affects one half of a population—boys—suddenly begins affecting the other half—girls, and when its age of onset shifts from preschool to adolescence, something significant is happening.

In 2016, Brown University public health researcher Lisa Littman began studying the sudden spike in trans identification of teenage girls. She concluded that peer influence and social media influence had a lot to do with this trans teen phenomenon. After all, based on parent reports, none of these girls had exhibited symptoms of gender dysphoria at the age that it typically first presents: early childhood.

YouTube, Reddit, Tumblr, TikTok, and Instagram all host popular social media influencers—today’s version of Hollywood stars—who insist that if you feel uncomfortable in your body, you’re probably trans. Many promise that if you start a course of testosterone, all of your problems will go away.

There’s every reason to believe that these girls are experiencing real psychological pain—rates of anxiety, depression, and instances of self-harm are all at record levels for this generation. A quick fix becomes very tempting. So it doesn’t take much—a YouTube video, a friend’s suggestion—to get a troubled girl to buy into the fantasy that gender transition is the answer.

Unfortunately for these girls, who do not have typical gender dysphoria, gender transition rarely offers relief. And it’s a catastrophic mistake for psychologists, educators, and the medical establishment to rush these teens towards “a solution” that will almost certainly harm rather than heal. Because here’s what’s not in dispute: unnecessary medical gender transition causes irreversible damage—high risk of infertility, sexual dysfunction, and the creation of a permanent medical patient.

Tragically, we’ve made it far too easy for kids to take this path—long before they’re ready psychologically or emotionally to make such a life-altering decision. Testosterone is easily obtained by today’s teens. In Oregon, a 15-year-old can walk into a gender clinic—yes, there are now gender clinics all over the country—and walk out the same day with a prescription for testosterone without her parents’ permission. Sixteen-year-old girls have been able to undergo double mastectomies—the removal of both breasts—without even a therapist’s note.

Predictably, hasty gender transition—remember, we’re talking about teenagers here—is now leading to a lot of regret. New testimonials appear on YouTube almost every week from teens who acknowledge they made a terrible mistake and warn others not to make the same one.

So how do you protect your daughter from being drawn into this dangerous and growing trend?

First, limit their exposure to social media as much as you can. Several academic studies have already linked the alarming rates of anxiety and depression to young girls’ punishing experience on social media—a place that often makes them feel sad, unattractive, and alone.

Second, oppose the teaching of gender ideology in your kids’ school. In California, gender identity education begins in kindergarten and proceeds through high school. The theme is that kids’ gender identity is totally independent of their physical sex and something that only they can know. Schools can and should insist that every child be treated respectfully without sowing gender confusion in an entire student population.

Third, and most importantly, remember that a teenager is still just a teenager. You don’t have to agree with every identity proclamation your daughter comes up with. Knowledge of her identity will develop over time. Until then, being the adult in the relationship is the most loving thing you can do.

I’m Abigail Shrier, author of Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, for Prager University.

We'd love to hear your thoughts about this article. Please take a minute to share them in the comment section by clicking here. Or carry the conversation over on your favorite social network by clicking one of the share buttons below.

News Staff

Join the conversation!

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Up Next

Kid BULLIED by Teacher for Not Seeing Race

Don't Miss

The Dilemma for Conservative Business People

Faith

BIBLE: Will America Be Significant in the End Times?

Many believe that the United States will not play a significant role in the end times.

Published

14 hours ago

March 21, 2023

News Staff

Need some extra cash? Looking for a side-gig you can work at your own pace? I found the perfect one! Click here!

As Christians, we believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world. Throughout history, people have pointed to various signs that they believe indicate that the end times are upon us. In this article, we will explore some of the biblical signs that suggest we are living in the end times, as well as address the question of why America is not a significant player in the world during this time.

Increase in natural disasters such as earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. In Luke 21:11, Jesus said, “There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” Today, we can see an increase in natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes, which are happening more frequently and with greater intensity.

The increase in wars and conflicts. In Matthew 24:6, Jesus warned that “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” We have seen this prophecy fulfilled in our lifetime, with numerous conflicts around the world, including in Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. These conflicts have resulted in the displacement of millions of people, as well as the loss of countless lives.

The rise of false prophets and the increase in lawlessness. In Matthew 24:11-12, Jesus said, “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Today, we see an increase in false teachings, cults, and religious movements that contradict the teachings of the Bible. Additionally, there is a rise in lawlessness, with increasing crime rates and civil unrest in many parts of the world.

The increase in persecution of Christians. In Matthew 24:9, Jesus said, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” Today, we see an increase in persecution of Christians in many parts of the world, with Christians facing discrimination, imprisonment, and even death for their faith.

The moral decline of society is another sign of the end times. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul describes the state of society in the last days: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”

The rebirth of Israel. In Matthew 24:32-33, Jesus said, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” The fig tree is often used in the Bible as a symbol for Israel, and the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 is a significant sign of the end times.

What about America?

Influence Like Jesus? Yes You Can. Click Here.

Many pastors and theologians believe that America will not play a significant role in the end times. They base this belief on several Scriptures, including Revelation 13, which describes a future world government, the Beast, and a world leader, the Antichrist, who will rule over it. Many theologians believe that this world government will not be centered in the United States.

In addition to Scriptural evidence, many famous preachers, teachers, and authors have also expressed this viewpoint. For example, John F. Walvoord, a prominent theologian, wrote in his book, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” that the United States is not mentioned in the Scriptures and therefore may not play a significant role in the end times.

Likewise, pastor and author David Jeremiah, in his book “Escape the Coming Night,” wrote that the United States “may not be a significant player on the world scene” during the end times.

Even Billy Graham, in a sermon he delivered in 1958, said, “I believe that one of the signs of the times is that the United States will begin to move into a position where we will not be a major factor in world affairs.”

Despite this, some theologians believe that the United States could still play a role in the end times, albeit not as a dominant power. For example, Hal Lindsey, author of “The Late Great Planet Earth,” believes that the United States will decline in power and influence but may still play a role in supporting Israel during the end times.

In summary, many pastors and theologians believe that the United States will not play a significant role in the end times. While some hold out the possibility that the United States may still play a supporting role, the consensus is that it will not be the dominant world power during this time.

So, what do you think?

Faith

Sex Before Marriage? Secular Research Shows You Should Wait

Published

6 days ago

March 16, 2023

News Staff

The topic of premarital sex is one that has been heavily debated for years, with strong opinions on both sides of the argument. However, when it comes to the best approach for long-term physical, emotional, and psychological health, the evidence seems to point towards waiting until marriage. In this article, we will examine the reasons why it is best to not have sex before marriage, backed by studies and statistics.

Physical Health
Firstly, let’s examine the physical health aspects of premarital sex. One of the most significant dangers associated with premarital sex is the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 20 million new cases of STIs in the United States every year. This is a staggering number that highlights the importance of taking preventative measures when it comes to sexual health.

While condoms can significantly reduce the risk of contracting STIs, they are not foolproof. According to a study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases, condom use was associated with a lower risk of STIs, but the risk was still present. The study found that individuals who used condoms consistently still had a 10-15% chance of contracting an STI.

Another physical health risk associated with premarital sex is unintended pregnancy. While there are numerous forms of birth control available, none are 100% effective, and accidental pregnancies can and do occur. According to the Guttmacher Institute, almost half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. This can have significant emotional and financial consequences for individuals who are not prepared to have a child.

Want to Influence Like Jesus? Click Here to Learn How!

Emotional Health
The emotional health consequences of premarital sex are equally as important to consider. Many people believe that engaging in sexual activity before marriage can lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying relationship. However, research suggests that the opposite may be true.

According to a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, individuals who engaged in premarital sex reported lower levels of relationship satisfaction and higher levels of instability than those who waited until marriage. This is likely due to the fact that individuals who engage in premarital sex may have a more casual attitude towards sex and relationships, leading to a lack of emotional commitment.

Another emotional health consequence of premarital sex is the potential for sexual regret. According to a study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, individuals who engaged in premarital sex were more likely to experience sexual regret than those who waited until marriage. This regret can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, which can have long-term effects on an individual’s emotional wellbeing.

Fire Your Boss, Work From Home, and Have a Flexible Schedule. We’ll Show You How. Click Here Now!

Psychological Health
Finally, let’s examine the psychological health consequences of premarital sex. One of the most significant concerns is the potential for depression and anxiety. According to a study published in the Journal of Sex Research, individuals who engaged in premarital sex reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than those who waited until marriage. This is likely due to the emotional and physical risks associated with sexual activity outside of a committed relationship.

Another psychological health concern associated with premarital sex is the potential for a lack of self-esteem. According to a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology, individuals who engaged in premarital sex reported lower levels of self-esteem than those who waited until marriage. This lack of self-esteem can have long-term consequences on an individual’s mental health and overall wellbeing.

In conclusion, the evidence suggests that this approach may be beneficial in several ways. By avoiding sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, and negative emotional consequences, individuals who wait until marriage to have sex may be able to lead happier and healthier lives. Furthermore, research has shown that premarital sex can have negative effects on relationship quality and satisfaction, especially for individuals who place a high value on religion and traditional values. Ultimately, the decision of when to have sex is a personal one that should be made based on one’s own values and beliefs. However, those who are considering waiting until marriage to have sex may find comfort in knowing that the evidence suggests that this approach can have a positive impact on their physical and emotional well-being, as well as on the health of their future relationships.

NOTES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats.htm

Warner, L., Stone, K. M., Macaluso, M., Buehler, J. W., Austin, H. D., & Hook, E. W. III. (2008). Condom use and risk of gonorrhea and chlamydia: A systematic review of design and measurement factors assessed in epidemiologic studies. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 35(5), 436-443.

Guttmacher Institute. (2019). Unintended pregnancy in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/unintended-pregnancy-united-states

Willoughby, B. J., Carroll, J. S., Busby, D. M., & Brown, C. C. (2014). The impact of religiosity on the association between premarital sex and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(2), 429-438.

Barry, C. M., Madsen, S. D., Nelson, L. J., Carroll, J. S., & Badger, S. (2009). Friendship and romantic relationship qualities in emerging adulthood: Differential associations with sexual activity and contraceptive use. Journal of Sex Research, 46(5), 419-430.

Lambert, N. M., Kahn, A. S., & Appleby, P. R. (2003). Placing sex in context: The influence of relationship quality on women’s sexual satisfaction. Journal of Sex Research, 40(1), 108-112.

Lambert, N. M., & Dollahite, D. C. (2006). How religiosity helps couples prevent and resolve marital conflict: A longitudinal investigation. Family Relations, 55(4), 439-449.

Regnerus, M. D., & Uecker, J. E. (2011). Premarital sex in America: How young Americans meet, mate, and think about marrying. Oxford University Press.