129 - Is “Gender-Affirming Care” an Oedipus Trap

In this episode, Stella & Sasha explore the concept of an Oedipus Trap, inspired by a podcast with Megan McArdle (see below). Sasha and Stella apply this psychological concept to the issue of childhood transition and how so many people involved might refuse to face their own mistakes or acknowledge their own accountability to the consequences of gender-affirming care. In her opinion piece for the Washington Post (linked below), Megan McArdle describes the oedipus trap as “There are some mistakes no one can live with, no matter how innocently they were made…Thus the trap: If you have made such a mistake, it is obviously better not to know you have done so.” The origin of the concept comes from the story of Oedipus from Greek mythology (linked below).In their conversation, Stella & Sasha speak delicately, but candidly about reconciling the choices and actions of affirmative clinicians, as their stories and experiences can offer valuable insights for reflection and learning around the harm vs. benefit analysis of youth gender transition. Links:Pre-Order When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parentshttps://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/ 
Attend Our Live Event – When Kids Say They’re Trans: Weekend of Workshops | September 21-24, 2023https://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/weekend-of-workshops
Megan McArdle on the Oedipus Traphttps://youtu.be/UpbNslZejOU
The Washing Post ArticleOpinion | What the world can learn from a lobotomy surgeon’s horrible mistakehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/14/walter-freeman-lobotomy-regret/ 
Oedipus from Greek Mythologyhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Oedipus-Greek-mythology 

If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting:Episode 27 — Behind the Curtain: Psychotherapy for Gender Dysphoria with Sue and Marcus Evanshttps://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/27-behind-the-curtain-psychotherapy-for-gender-dysphoria-with-sue-and-marcus-evans
Episode 91 — Uncovering the GIDS Disaster: Dr. Dave Bellhttps://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/91-uncovering-the-gids-disaster-dr-dave-bell 
Episode 104 — No Time to Think with Hannah Barnes: The Downfall of GIDS at the Tavistockhttps://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/104-no-time-to-think-with-hannah-barnes-the-downfall-of-gids-at-the-tavistock 
Episode 109 — What If We Are All Wrong: A Mother’s Regret with Rose