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'''''Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters''''' is a 2020 book by Abigail Shrier and published by [[Regnery Publishing]]. Abigail Shrier is a journalist for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''. In the book Shrier accuses social media of playing a driving role in |
'''''Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters''''' is a 2020 book by Abigail Shrier and published by [[Regnery Publishing]]. Abigail Shrier is a journalist for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''. In the book Shrier accuses social media of playing a driving role in youths' decisions to identify as [[transgender]],<ref>{{cite news |date=November 29, 2020 |title=Social media one of the 'biggest drivers' in expressing gender discomfort: Abigail Shrier |language=en |work=Sky News Australia |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6212863985001 |access-date=December 13, 2020}}</ref> based on the unproven<ref name="WPATH-2018">{{cite web |author=WPATH Global Board of Directors |date=September 4, 2018 |title=WPATH Position on "Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)" |url=https://www.wpath.org/media/cms/Documents/Public%20Policies/2018/9_Sept/WPATH%20Position%20on%20Rapid-Onset%20Gender%20Dysphoria_9-4-2018.pdf |access-date=May 30, 2019 |work=WPATH |quote=The term "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)" is not a medical entity recognized by any major professional association, nor is it listed as a subtype or classification in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Therefore, it constitutes nothing more than an acronym created to describe a proposed clinical phenomenon that may or may not warrant further peer-reviewed scientific investigation. At present, WPATH asserts that knowledge of the factors contributing to gender identity development in adolescence is still evolving and not yet fully understood by scientists, clinicians, community members, and other stakeholders in equal measure.}}</ref> and contentious<ref name="florence">{{cite journal |last=Ashley |first=Florence |date=July 1, 2020 |title=A critical commentary on 'rapid-onset gender dysphoria' |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0038026120934693 |journal=The Sociological Review |language=en |volume=68 |issue=4 |pages=779–799 |doi=10.1177/0038026120934693 |issn=0038-0261}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gender Dysphoria Isn't A "Social Contagion," According To A New Study |language=en |work=BuzzFeed News |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/shannonkeating/rapid-onset-gender-dysphoria-flawed-methods-transgender |access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref> hypothesis of [[rapid onset gender dysphoria]].<ref>{{cite web |date=June 23, 2020 |title=Amazon refuses to advertise renowned anti-trans journalist's book suggesting trans teens are a 'contagion' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/06/23/amazon-abigail-shrier-book-refuse-adverts-regnery-publishing/ |access-date=December 10, 2020 |website=PinkNews |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=The Massive Effort to Censor "Irreversible Damage" Shows the Trans Debate is Not About Reducing Harm |url=https://4w.pub/the-massive-effort-to-censor-irreversible-damage/ |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=4W – A Feminist Publication |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PODCAST: Abigail Shrier on "Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters" |url=http://commentary.jameswilsoninstitute.org/2020/07/podcast-abigail-shrier-on-irreversible-damage-the-transgender-craze-seducing-our-daughters/ |access-date=2020-12-27 |work=James Wilson Institute |language=en}}</ref><ref name="book">{{cite book |last=Shrier |first=Abigail |title=Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters |publisher=Blackstone Publishing |year=2020 |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|ch 2}} She advocates for withholding gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, a [[Fringe science|fringe]]<ref name="JackTurban"/> position not currently supported by most reputable medical organisations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Position Statement on Treatment of Transgender (Trans) and Gender Diverse Youth |url=https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/About-APA/Organization-Documents-Policies/Policies/Position-Transgender-Gender-Diverse-Youth.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Rafferty |first=Jason |last2=Health |first2=Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family |last3=Adolescence |first3=Committee On |last4=Section on Lesbian |first4=Gay |date=2018-10-01 |title=Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents |url=https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/4/e20182162 |journal=Pediatrics |language=en |volume=142 |issue=4 |doi=10.1542/peds.2018-2162 |issn=0031-4005 |pmid=30224363|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Hembree |first=Wylie C. |last2=Cohen-Kettenis |first2=Peggy T. |last3=Gooren |first3=Louis |last4=Hannema |first4=Sabine E. |last5=Meyer |first5=Walter J. |last6=Murad |first6=M. Hassan |last7=Rosenthal |first7=Stephen M. |last8=Safer |first8=Joshua D. |last9=Tangpricha |first9=Vin |last10=T'Sjoen |first10=Guy G. |date=2017-11-01 |title=Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline |url=https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/102/11/3869/4157558 |journal=The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |language=en |volume=102 |issue=11 |pages=3869–3903 |doi=10.1210/jc.2017-01658 |issn=0021-972X|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AACAP Statement Responding to Efforts to ban Evidence-Based Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse |url=https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Latest_News/AACAP_Statement_Responding_to_Efforts-to_ban_Evidence-Based_Care_for_Transgender_and_Gender_Diverse.aspx |access-date=2020-12-29 |website=www.aacap.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Standards of Care – WPATH World Professional Association for Transgender Health |url=https://www.wpath.org/publications/soc |access-date=2020-12-29 |website=www.wpath.org}}</ref> |
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==Summary== |
==Summary== |
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Shrier states that she began to investigate adolescent-onset gender dysphoria after having been contacted by the mother of a young adult with no apparent history of [[gender dysphoria in children|childhood gender dysphoria]] who had begun to identify as transgender while in college.<!--Intro--> She describes what she sees as difficulties facing |
Shrier states that she began to investigate adolescent-onset gender dysphoria after having been contacted by the mother of a young adult with no apparent history of [[gender dysphoria in children|childhood gender dysphoria]] who had begun to identify as transgender while in college.<!--Intro--> She describes what she sees as difficulties facing teenagers—isolation, bad online social dynamics, restrictive gender and sexuality labels, unwelcome physical changes and sexual attention—and profiles several teenagers who questioned their gender identities or came out as transgender while experiencing mental health or personal issues.<!--Chapter 1.--> She discusses Lisa Littman's 2018 journal article on rapid onset gender dysphoria and [[rapid onset gender dysphoria controversy|the ensuing controversy]].<!--Chapter 2.--> She states that online trans influencers encourage questioning youth to identify as trans, experiment with [[breast binding]] and [[testosterone (medication)|testosterone]], and disown or lie to unsupportive family members.<!--Chapter 3.--> |
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Shrier criticises transgender-related curricula and policies in government-run schools.<!--Chapter 4.--> She describes parents distressed by their children's transgender identification or transition.<!--Chapter 5.--> She critiques the gender-affirming model of care<!--Chapter 6.--> and profiles its critics: [[Kenneth Zucker]], [[Ray Blanchard]], [[J. Michael Bailey]], Lisa Marchiano, and [[Paul McHugh]].<!--Chapter 7.--> Shrier discusses trans activism and related controversies, including sex-specific privacy concerns; [[passing (gender)|passing]] versus trans visibility; the role of celebrities in increasing trans acceptance; conflict between transgender people and lesbians and radical feminists; transfeminine/male-to-female athletes competing in girls' and women's sport; the use of trans-inclusive language; and intersectionality and identity politics.<!--Chapter 8.--> She states that medical interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries carry risks, and describes a transgender person who became disabled after a failed surgery.<!--Chapter 9.--> She also profiles [[detransition]]ed young women.<!--Chapter 10.--> |
Shrier criticises transgender-related curricula and policies in government-run schools.<!--Chapter 4.--> She describes parents distressed by their children's transgender identification or transition.<!--Chapter 5.--> She critiques the gender-affirming model of care<!--Chapter 6.--> and profiles its critics: [[Kenneth Zucker]], [[Ray Blanchard]], [[J. Michael Bailey]], Lisa Marchiano, and [[Paul McHugh]].<!--Chapter 7.--> Shrier discusses trans activism and related controversies, including sex-specific privacy concerns; [[passing (gender)|passing]] versus trans visibility; the role of celebrities in increasing trans acceptance; conflict between transgender people and lesbians and radical feminists; transfeminine/male-to-female athletes competing in girls' and women's sport; the use of trans-inclusive language; and intersectionality and identity politics.<!--Chapter 8.--> She states that medical interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries carry risks, and describes a transgender person who became disabled after a failed surgery.<!--Chapter 9.--> She also profiles [[detransition]]ed young women.<!--Chapter 10.--> |
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The book has proven controversial for its views about [[transgender]] issues.<ref name="sunday2020-11"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Threats over trans book |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/author-faces-threats-after-she-warns-of-trans-epidemic/news-story/1d7fd8acec64672a9441b8a797d4e9ab |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 13, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It received a negative review from Jack Turban, a psychiatrist with specialization in transgender mental health,<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Turban MD MHS |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/contributors/jack-turban-md-mhs |access-date=2020-12-27 |work=Psychology Today Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> in a ''[[Psychology Today]]'' blogpost.<ref name="JackTurban">{{cite news |last=Turban |first=Jack |date=June 12, 2020 |title=New Book "Irreversible Damage" Is Full of Misinformation |work=Psychology Today |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/political-minds/202012/new-book-irreversible-damage-is-full-misinformation |access-date=August 12, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It was positively reviewed by the journalist [[Naomi Schaefer Riley]] in ''[[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary]]'', by the journalist Madeleine Kearns in the ''[[National Review]]'', by ''[[The Economist]]'', and by [[Janice Turner]] in ''[[The Times]]'' of London.<ref name="commentary">{{cite magazine |last1=Riley |first1=Naomi Schaefer |title=The Trans Cult |url=https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/naomi-schaefer-riley/transgender-children-craze/ |access-date=27 December 2020 |work=Commentary |date=16 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nationalreview">{{cite magazine |last1=Kearns |first1=Madeleine |title=The Beginning of Gender |volume=72 |issue=19 |pages=36–39 |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2020/10/19/transgender-craze-harms-young-women-especially/ |work=National Review |date=19 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="economist">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/11/28/a-book-on-transitioning-girls-is-denounced-as-transphobic |title=Miss gender – A book on transitioning girls is denounced as transphobic |date=November 28, 2020 |magazine=[[The Economist]] |location=Washington, D.C. |publication-place=London |access-date=December 13, 2020 |url-access=registration |language=en}}</ref><ref name="times2020-12"/> The book was named an ''Economist'' Book of the Year,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Cold comforts – Our books of the year |url=https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2020/12/05/our-books-of-the-year |magazine=The Economist |access-date=December 13, 2020 |url-access=registration |language=en}}</ref> and a ''[[The Times|Times]]'' Best Book of 2021 for its UK publication.<ref name="sunday2020-12"/> |
The book has proven controversial for its views about [[transgender]] issues.<ref name="sunday2020-11"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Threats over trans book |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/author-faces-threats-after-she-warns-of-trans-epidemic/news-story/1d7fd8acec64672a9441b8a797d4e9ab |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 13, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It received a negative review from Jack Turban, a psychiatrist with specialization in transgender mental health,<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Turban MD MHS |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/contributors/jack-turban-md-mhs |access-date=2020-12-27 |work=Psychology Today Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> in a ''[[Psychology Today]]'' blogpost.<ref name="JackTurban">{{cite news |last=Turban |first=Jack |date=June 12, 2020 |title=New Book "Irreversible Damage" Is Full of Misinformation |work=Psychology Today |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/political-minds/202012/new-book-irreversible-damage-is-full-misinformation |access-date=August 12, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It was positively reviewed by the journalist [[Naomi Schaefer Riley]] in ''[[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary]]'', by the journalist Madeleine Kearns in the ''[[National Review]]'', by ''[[The Economist]]'', and by [[Janice Turner]] in ''[[The Times]]'' of London.<ref name="commentary">{{cite magazine |last1=Riley |first1=Naomi Schaefer |title=The Trans Cult |url=https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/naomi-schaefer-riley/transgender-children-craze/ |access-date=27 December 2020 |work=Commentary |date=16 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nationalreview">{{cite magazine |last1=Kearns |first1=Madeleine |title=The Beginning of Gender |volume=72 |issue=19 |pages=36–39 |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2020/10/19/transgender-craze-harms-young-women-especially/ |work=National Review |date=19 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="economist">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/11/28/a-book-on-transitioning-girls-is-denounced-as-transphobic |title=Miss gender – A book on transitioning girls is denounced as transphobic |date=November 28, 2020 |magazine=[[The Economist]] |location=Washington, D.C. |publication-place=London |access-date=December 13, 2020 |url-access=registration |language=en}}</ref><ref name="times2020-12"/> The book was named an ''Economist'' Book of the Year,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Cold comforts – Our books of the year |url=https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2020/12/05/our-books-of-the-year |magazine=The Economist |access-date=December 13, 2020 |url-access=registration |language=en}}</ref> and a ''[[The Times|Times]]'' Best Book of 2021 for its UK publication.<ref name="sunday2020-12"/> |
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Turban wrote that Shrier had misinterpreted and omitted scientific evidence to support her book's claims. He criticised Shrier for basing her portrayals of transgender youth on interviews with their parents, and for using "crass and offensive language".<ref name="JackTurban"/> Riley wrote that Shrier was correct to ask " |
Turban wrote that Shrier had misinterpreted and omitted scientific evidence to support her book's claims. He criticised Shrier for basing her portrayals of transgender youth on interviews with their parents, and for using "crass and offensive language".<ref name="JackTurban"/> Riley wrote that Shrier was correct to ask the question of "what's ailing" the demographic profiled in the book, who appeared to have suddenly begun identifying as transgender. She endorsed Shrier's criticisms of transgender healthcare and online trans activism.<ref name="commentary"/> Kearns reviewed ''Irreversible Damage'' alongside [[Debra W. Soh]]'s ''The End of Gender''. She stated that Shrier's book provided a "personal, inquisitive, and often moving narrative of girls in trouble".<ref name="nationalreview"/> ''The Economist'' called the book the "first book-length study of a fascinating phenomenon" but stated that "it has been widely ignored".<ref name="economist"/> ''The Times'' named it a book of the week in December 2020. Turner remarked that the transgender individuals Shrier described in the book showed no discomfort in their bodies until puberty. She stated: "This fearless book shows how girls' bodies have become collateral damage in adult culture wars", adding that the book "has caused a storm. A Berkeley English professor wants it burnt, civil rights and LGBT activists want it banned... In fact [the author] does something simple yet devastating: she rigorously lays out the facts."<ref name="times2020-12"/> |
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Writing in ''[[Gay City News]]'', the journalist Matt Tracy criticised the book for [[misgender]]ing subjects of discussion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tracy |first=Matt |date=November 13, 2020 |title=Bigots Swarm Twitter as Target Flip-Flops on Transphobic Book |language=en-US |work=Gay City News |url=https://www.gaycitynews.com/bigots-swarm-twitter-as-target-flip-flops-on-transphobic-book/ |access-date=December 13, 2020}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Dot]]'' columnist Ana Valens wrote that the book contained obvious transphobia and encouraged conversion therapy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Valens |first1=Ana |title=Bari Weiss Defends Transphobic Book Pulled From Target |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/bari-weiss-transphobic-book-target/ |work=The Daily Dot |date=13 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Valens |first1=Ana |title=Target restocked a transphobic book because of money—not 'censorship' |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/target-transphobia-book/ |work=The Daily Dot |access-date=28 December 2020 |date=16 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In ''[[Them (website)|Them]]'', the writer James Factora stated that almost every claim in the publisher's description of the book was a "blatant lie".<ref name="them">{{cite web |last=Factora |first=James |title=Target Removed a Transphobic Book From Shelves — Then Replaced It a Day Later |url=https://www.them.us/story/target-transphobic-book-removed-irreversable-damage-abigail-shrier |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=them. |language=en-US}}</ref> Some of the social media influencers discussed in the book responded to their depiction. Chase Ross, who was interviewed for the book<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-06-27 |title=The transgender cult is damaging our daughters |url=https://spectator.us/transgender-cult-damaging-daughters/ |access-date=2020-12-28 |website=Spectator USA |language=en-US}}</ref> and featured prominently,<ref name="book"/>{{Rp|ch. Intro}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Irreversible Damage: the trans threat to girls |url=https://www.spiked-online.com/2020/07/15/irreversible-damage-the-trans-threat-to-girls/ |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=www.spiked-online.com |language=en}}</ref> apologised for his involvement, describing the book as "transphobic".<ref>{{cite web |title=apology for transphobic book involvement |type=Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weL18325rTs |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref> Ty Turner, a trans [[YouTuber]] who also appeared in the book,<ref name="book"/>{{Rp|ch 3.1}} further condemned the book as "fearmongering"<ref name="Turner3">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5kkg90rL1M |title=Transphobic Book Targets Me & Other Trans Creators, LGBT YouTubers Promote It |type=Video |access-date=December 23, 2020 |work=Youtube |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|2:59}} and "hateful".<ref name="Turner3"/>{{Rp|4:23}} Following public criticism, [[Target Corporation|Target]] pulled the book from their stores but reinstated it the next day.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Katie |date=November 13, 2020 |title=Target Pulls Anti-Trans Book from Shelves |url=https://bookandfilmglobe.com/author-stuff/abigail-shrier/ |access-date=December 13, 2020 |work=Book & Film Globe |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Factora |first=James |title=Target Removed a Transphobic Book From Shelves — Then Replaced It a Day Later |url=https://www.them.us/story/target-transphobic-book-removed-irreversable-damage-abigail-shrier |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=them. |language=en-US}}</ref> |
Writing in ''[[Gay City News]]'', the journalist Matt Tracy criticised the book for [[misgender]]ing subjects of discussion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tracy |first=Matt |date=November 13, 2020 |title=Bigots Swarm Twitter as Target Flip-Flops on Transphobic Book |language=en-US |work=Gay City News |url=https://www.gaycitynews.com/bigots-swarm-twitter-as-target-flip-flops-on-transphobic-book/ |access-date=December 13, 2020}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Dot]]'' columnist Ana Valens wrote that the book contained obvious transphobia and encouraged conversion therapy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Valens |first1=Ana |title=Bari Weiss Defends Transphobic Book Pulled From Target |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/bari-weiss-transphobic-book-target/ |work=The Daily Dot |date=13 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Valens |first1=Ana |title=Target restocked a transphobic book because of money—not 'censorship' |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/target-transphobia-book/ |work=The Daily Dot |access-date=28 December 2020 |date=16 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In ''[[Them (website)|Them]]'', the writer James Factora stated that almost every claim in the publisher's description of the book was a "blatant lie".<ref name="them">{{cite web |last=Factora |first=James |title=Target Removed a Transphobic Book From Shelves — Then Replaced It a Day Later |url=https://www.them.us/story/target-transphobic-book-removed-irreversable-damage-abigail-shrier |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=them. |language=en-US}}</ref> Some of the social media influencers discussed in the book responded to their depiction. Chase Ross, who was interviewed for the book<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-06-27 |title=The transgender cult is damaging our daughters |url=https://spectator.us/transgender-cult-damaging-daughters/ |access-date=2020-12-28 |website=Spectator USA |language=en-US}}</ref> and featured prominently,<ref name="book"/>{{Rp|ch. Intro}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Irreversible Damage: the trans threat to girls |url=https://www.spiked-online.com/2020/07/15/irreversible-damage-the-trans-threat-to-girls/ |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=www.spiked-online.com |language=en}}</ref> apologised for his involvement, describing the book as "transphobic".<ref>{{cite web |title=apology for transphobic book involvement |type=Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weL18325rTs |access-date=2020-12-27 |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref> Ty Turner, a trans [[YouTuber]] who also appeared in the book,<ref name="book"/>{{Rp|ch 3.1}} further condemned the book as "fearmongering"<ref name="Turner3">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5kkg90rL1M |title=Transphobic Book Targets Me & Other Trans Creators, LGBT YouTubers Promote It |type=Video |access-date=December 23, 2020 |work=Youtube |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|2:59}} and "hateful".<ref name="Turner3"/>{{Rp|4:23}} Following public criticism, [[Target Corporation|Target]] pulled the book from their stores but reinstated it the next day.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Katie |date=November 13, 2020 |title=Target Pulls Anti-Trans Book from Shelves |url=https://bookandfilmglobe.com/author-stuff/abigail-shrier/ |access-date=December 13, 2020 |work=Book & Film Globe |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Factora |first=James |title=Target Removed a Transphobic Book From Shelves — Then Replaced It a Day Later |url=https://www.them.us/story/target-transphobic-book-removed-irreversable-damage-abigail-shrier |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=them. |language=en-US}}</ref> |
Revision as of 22:01, 13 January 2021
Author | Abigail Shrier |
---|---|
Language | English |
Genre | LGBT non-fiction |
Publisher | Regnery Publishing |
Publication date | 30 June 2020 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print & Digital |
ISBN | 978-1-68451-031-3 |
Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters is a 2020 book by Abigail Shrier and published by Regnery Publishing. Abigail Shrier is a journalist for The Wall Street Journal. In the book Shrier accuses social media of playing a driving role in youths' decisions to identify as transgender,[1] based on the unproven[2] and contentious[3][4] hypothesis of rapid onset gender dysphoria.[5][6][7][8]: ch 2 She advocates for withholding gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, a fringe[9] position not currently supported by most reputable medical organisations.[10][11][12][13][14]
Summary
Shrier states that she began to investigate adolescent-onset gender dysphoria after having been contacted by the mother of a young adult with no apparent history of childhood gender dysphoria who had begun to identify as transgender while in college. She describes what she sees as difficulties facing teenagers—isolation, bad online social dynamics, restrictive gender and sexuality labels, unwelcome physical changes and sexual attention—and profiles several teenagers who questioned their gender identities or came out as transgender while experiencing mental health or personal issues. She discusses Lisa Littman's 2018 journal article on rapid onset gender dysphoria and the ensuing controversy. She states that online trans influencers encourage questioning youth to identify as trans, experiment with breast binding and testosterone, and disown or lie to unsupportive family members.
Shrier criticises transgender-related curricula and policies in government-run schools. She describes parents distressed by their children's transgender identification or transition. She critiques the gender-affirming model of care and profiles its critics: Kenneth Zucker, Ray Blanchard, J. Michael Bailey, Lisa Marchiano, and Paul McHugh. Shrier discusses trans activism and related controversies, including sex-specific privacy concerns; passing versus trans visibility; the role of celebrities in increasing trans acceptance; conflict between transgender people and lesbians and radical feminists; transfeminine/male-to-female athletes competing in girls' and women's sport; the use of trans-inclusive language; and intersectionality and identity politics. She states that medical interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries carry risks, and describes a transgender person who became disabled after a failed surgery. She also profiles detransitioned young women.
Background and publication history
Shrier is the daughter of Peter B. Krauser and Sherrie L. Krauser, both judges in the state of Maryland, United States. She has degrees from Columbia College New York (A.B. Philosophy and Kellett Fellowship), the University of Oxford (B.Phil. Philosophy), and Yale Law School where she was a Coker Fellow.[15][16][better source needed] Shrier works as a journalist and columnist for the Wall Street Journal,[17] and has published multiple opinion pieces on trans issues.[18] She has previously criticised government enforced use of gender pronouns and other vocabulary,[19] and criticised trans womens' participation in women's athletics.[20]
In a July 2020 interview on the Joe Rogan Experience to promote her book, Shrier called wanting to transition a "contagion" and compared it with eating disorders and self-harm.[21] She also associated transgender youth with autism.[22] Men's Health described Shrier's comments as "invalidat[ing] the lived experience of trans and nonbinary kids and teens".[21] Her remarks sparked calls for the Rogan podcast episode to be removed from Spotify.[23][22]
Irreversible Damage was published in 2020 by Regnery Publishing.
Reception
The book has proven controversial for its views about transgender issues.[17][24] It received a negative review from Jack Turban, a psychiatrist with specialization in transgender mental health,[25] in a Psychology Today blogpost.[9] It was positively reviewed by the journalist Naomi Schaefer Riley in Commentary, by the journalist Madeleine Kearns in the National Review, by The Economist, and by Janice Turner in The Times of London.[26][27][28][29] The book was named an Economist Book of the Year,[30] and a Times Best Book of 2021 for its UK publication.[31]
Turban wrote that Shrier had misinterpreted and omitted scientific evidence to support her book's claims. He criticised Shrier for basing her portrayals of transgender youth on interviews with their parents, and for using "crass and offensive language".[9] Riley wrote that Shrier was correct to ask the question of "what's ailing" the demographic profiled in the book, who appeared to have suddenly begun identifying as transgender. She endorsed Shrier's criticisms of transgender healthcare and online trans activism.[26] Kearns reviewed Irreversible Damage alongside Debra W. Soh's The End of Gender. She stated that Shrier's book provided a "personal, inquisitive, and often moving narrative of girls in trouble".[27] The Economist called the book the "first book-length study of a fascinating phenomenon" but stated that "it has been widely ignored".[28] The Times named it a book of the week in December 2020. Turner remarked that the transgender individuals Shrier described in the book showed no discomfort in their bodies until puberty. She stated: "This fearless book shows how girls' bodies have become collateral damage in adult culture wars", adding that the book "has caused a storm. A Berkeley English professor wants it burnt, civil rights and LGBT activists want it banned... In fact [the author] does something simple yet devastating: she rigorously lays out the facts."[29]
Writing in Gay City News, the journalist Matt Tracy criticised the book for misgendering subjects of discussion.[32] The Daily Dot columnist Ana Valens wrote that the book contained obvious transphobia and encouraged conversion therapy.[33][34] In Them, the writer James Factora stated that almost every claim in the publisher's description of the book was a "blatant lie".[35] Some of the social media influencers discussed in the book responded to their depiction. Chase Ross, who was interviewed for the book[36] and featured prominently,[8]: ch. Intro [37] apologised for his involvement, describing the book as "transphobic".[38] Ty Turner, a trans YouTuber who also appeared in the book,[8]: ch 3.1 further condemned the book as "fearmongering"[39]: 2:59 and "hateful".[39]: 4:23 Following public criticism, Target pulled the book from their stores but reinstated it the next day.[40][41]
Response
Shrier rejects the labelling of her by activists as "anti-trans, which I’m not," she says. Shrier told The Sunday Times: "Transgender adults often write to me and say: 'I'm frankly embarrassed by the activists, they don’t speak for us'." Adding: "The book has a lot of transgender support". "A lot of transgender adults agree that there needs to be more oversight with these young girls who come out, out of nowhere".[17]
References
- ^ "Social media one of the 'biggest drivers' in expressing gender discomfort: Abigail Shrier". Sky News Australia. November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ WPATH Global Board of Directors (September 4, 2018). "WPATH Position on "Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)"" (PDF). WPATH. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
The term "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)" is not a medical entity recognized by any major professional association, nor is it listed as a subtype or classification in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Therefore, it constitutes nothing more than an acronym created to describe a proposed clinical phenomenon that may or may not warrant further peer-reviewed scientific investigation. At present, WPATH asserts that knowledge of the factors contributing to gender identity development in adolescence is still evolving and not yet fully understood by scientists, clinicians, community members, and other stakeholders in equal measure.
- ^ Ashley, Florence (July 1, 2020). "A critical commentary on 'rapid-onset gender dysphoria'". The Sociological Review. 68 (4): 779–799. doi:10.1177/0038026120934693. ISSN 0038-0261.
- ^ "Gender Dysphoria Isn't A "Social Contagion," According To A New Study". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "Amazon refuses to advertise renowned anti-trans journalist's book suggesting trans teens are a 'contagion'". PinkNews. June 23, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ "The Massive Effort to Censor "Irreversible Damage" Shows the Trans Debate is Not About Reducing Harm". 4W – A Feminist Publication. November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "PODCAST: Abigail Shrier on "Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters"". James Wilson Institute. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c Shrier, Abigail (2020). Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters. Blackstone Publishing.
- ^ a b c Turban, Jack (June 12, 2020). "New Book "Irreversible Damage" Is Full of Misinformation". Psychology Today. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "Position Statement on Treatment of Transgender (Trans) and Gender Diverse Youth" (PDF).
- ^ Rafferty, Jason; Health, Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family; Adolescence, Committee On; Section on Lesbian, Gay (October 1, 2018). "Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents". Pediatrics. 142 (4). doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2162. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 30224363.
- ^ Hembree, Wylie C.; Cohen-Kettenis, Peggy T.; Gooren, Louis; Hannema, Sabine E.; Meyer, Walter J.; Murad, M. Hassan; Rosenthal, Stephen M.; Safer, Joshua D.; Tangpricha, Vin; T'Sjoen, Guy G. (November 1, 2017). "Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 102 (11): 3869–3903. doi:10.1210/jc.2017-01658. ISSN 0021-972X.
- ^ "AACAP Statement Responding to Efforts to ban Evidence-Based Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse". www.aacap.org. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Standards of Care – WPATH World Professional Association for Transgender Health". www.wpath.org. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Abigail Shrier". www.writersreps.com. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^ "Abigail Shrier". Regnery Publishing. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c Pavia, Will (November 21, 2020). "Author Abigail Shrier faces threats after warning of trans epidemic". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020.
- ^ Shrier, Abigail (January 6, 2019). "When Your Daughter Defies Biology". Wall Street Journal (Opinion). ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ Shrier, Abigail (August 29, 2018). "The Transgender Language War". Wall Street Journal (Opinion). ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ Shrier, Abigail (May 15, 2020). "Who has the right to be called a girl?". Newsweek (Opinion). Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ a b Ellis, Philip. "Joe Rogan Is Spreading Transphobic Hate Speech and It's Putting Lives in Danger". Men's Health. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
Shrier invalidated the lived experience of trans and nonbinary kids and teens, and made numerous dangerous, entirely unsound false equivalencies. She compared transitioning among teenagers to historic adolescent phenomena such as eating disorders, self-harm, and (bafflingly) the occult, calling this age group "the same population that gets involved in cutting, demonic possession, witchcraft, anorexia, bulimia." She even described wanting to transition as a "contagion" with the potential to infect other children with the same ideas, drawing yet more scientifically baseless parallels with eating disorders.
- ^ a b "Spotify CEO Defends Keeping Transphobic Joe Rogan Podcasts Online". Vice News. September 16, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Quah, Nicholas (November 3, 2020). "Should Spotify Be Responsible for What Joe Rogan Does?". Vulture. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "Threats over trans book". The Australian. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ "Jack Turban MD MHS". Psychology Today Australia. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Riley, Naomi Schaefer (June 16, 2020). "The Trans Cult". Commentary. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Kearns, Madeleine (October 19, 2020). "The Beginning of Gender". National Review. Vol. 72, no. 19. pp. 36–39.
- ^ a b Written at Washington, D.C.. "Miss gender – A book on transitioning girls is denounced as transphobic". The Economist. London. November 28, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ a b Turner, Janice (December 30, 2020). "Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier review — resisting the 'transgender craze'". The Times. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020.
- ^ "Cold comforts – Our books of the year". The Economist. December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ Millen, Robbie; Holgate, Andrew (December 1, 2020). "The best books of 2021: our predictions". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020.
- ^ Tracy, Matt (November 13, 2020). "Bigots Swarm Twitter as Target Flip-Flops on Transphobic Book". Gay City News. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ Valens, Ana (November 13, 2020). "Bari Weiss Defends Transphobic Book Pulled From Target". The Daily Dot.
- ^ Valens, Ana (November 16, 2020). "Target restocked a transphobic book because of money—not 'censorship'". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ Factora, James. "Target Removed a Transphobic Book From Shelves — Then Replaced It a Day Later". them. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "The transgender cult is damaging our daughters". Spectator USA. June 27, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Irreversible Damage: the trans threat to girls". www.spiked-online.com. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "apology for transphobic book involvement". YouTube (Video). Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Transphobic Book Targets Me & Other Trans Creators, LGBT YouTubers Promote It. Youtube (Video). Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Katie (November 13, 2020). "Target Pulls Anti-Trans Book from Shelves". Book & Film Globe. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ Factora, James. "Target Removed a Transphobic Book From Shelves — Then Replaced It a Day Later". them. Retrieved December 19, 2020.