Anderson, who brings over 40 years of experience to the table, has made a significant impact in the realm of behavioral pediatrics. Her most recent role was with the University of California San Francisco’s (UCSF) Adolescent Gender Center.
Historical Abuse, Developmental Challenges, Anxiety, or Depression
In a candid conversation with Fox News Digital, Anderson expressed concern regarding the direction health professionals are taking.
She emphasized the need to comprehensively examine all factors influencing a child’s situation.
While she doesn’t believe in dismissing the child’s chosen gender identity, Anderson insists on understanding potential associated aspects such as historical abuse, developmental challenges, anxiety, or depression.
Anderson remarked: “I’ve never seen a major mental illness cured by a gender transition.” Delving deeper into the controversial topic, she added, “I don’t think there’s any empirical evidence to suggest that depression or anxiety or autism or any other condition is going to be cured by a gender transition.”
She Raised an Eyebrow at the Increase in Transgender-Identifying Children
Erica Anderson further explained that children exhibiting gender identities different from their biological sex, based on her clinical observations, are “rare.”
She raised an eyebrow at the increase in transgender-identifying children, suggesting that social effects could play a more significant role. “Is it occurring because of their own organic awareness of who they are, or is it partly because they realize that many other kids are doing this, and why shouldn’t they?” Anderson probed.
Highlighting the influence of peer pressure on teenagers, she added, “Pretty much everything going on with teenagers is subject to peer influence. So why isn’t gender? No one’s ever given me an adequate explanation for why they think gender can’t be subject to peer influence. I would submit it is.”
Trans Landscapes Are Changing Around the World
The seasoned psychologist also discussed medical practices outside the U.S., noting the caution that European countries have adopted regarding transgender minors.
For instance, England’s NHS demanded the closure of the Tavistock Clinic, which was previously known for blind acceptance of children’s chosen gender identities.
Sweden’s shifting stance on cross-sex hormones, now viewed as not “safe,” and its restrictions on sex change procedures for minors further highlight the changing landscape.
Anderson didn’t mince words when addressing the American approach: “Protocols that we’ve had in the past no longer seem to apply, and so we need to ask ourselves what do we need to do with this population? That’s where I think the issues lie right now in the United States.”
Anderson expressed her apprehension about the lack of such caution in the U.S., especially when it comes to delaying puberty.
Pausing Puberty
She explained, “Pausing puberty, in theory, while beneficial in terms of providing longer time for a child to question their gender, it has the effect of slowing down development and keeping it at the pre-puberty level, and we can’t do it indefinitely.”
Anderson’s criticism extended to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which she claimed was reluctant to review current evidence. She pointed out that their last discussions were in 2018 and stressed that newer insights and evidence have emerged since then.
“’Hey, Wait a Minute, We Need To Slow Down”
She stated, “It’s five years ago, and a lot more information has arisen. And of course, others, as we’re saying in Europe, have looked at all the evidence and said, ‘Hey, wait a minute, we need to slow down.'”
The Fox interview certainly stirs the pot in the ongoing debate about the medical treatment of transgender children in the United States.
With her extensive experience and position within the transgender community, Anderson’s remarks will surely generate substantial discussion.
The post Transgender Surge Among Kids: Leading Psychologist Sparks Controversy Claiming Peer Pressure Might Be the Culprit! first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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