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 Parents
https://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/
Attend Our Live Event – When Kids Say They’re Trans: Weekend of Workshops | September 21-24, 2023
https://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/weekend-of-workshops
Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans: Tales from the Home Front in the Fight to Save Our Kids
https://www.amazon.com/Parents-Inconvenient-Truths-about-Trans/dp/1634312465
Megan McArdle on the Oedipus Trap
The Washing Post Article
Opinion | What the world can learn from a lobotomy surgeon’s horrible mistake
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/14/walter-freeman-lobotomy-regret/
Oedipus from Greek Mythology
https://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 Evans
Episode 91 — Uncovering the GIDS Disaster: Dr. Dave Bell
https://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 Tavistock
Episode 109 — What If We Are All Wrong: A Mother’s Regret with Rose
Episode 112 — Jamie Reed: “Every Ethical Line I Drew Was Walked On… We Are Hurting People”
Episode 125 — From Gender Expert to Skeptical Dissenter with Sara Stockton
GWL Episode Playlist
Conversations about Medical Interventions & Gender
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLngVCeAoK6vtz3WOn5z8WUM5PidraNGZU
GWL Episode Playlist
Top Episodes for Therapists Working with Gender
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLngVCeAoK6vv_wKkIthqg5VwlsgOalbGl
GWL Episode Playlist
GIDS at the Tavistock
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLngVCeAoK6vs7WNSdGF6ynVS9cviXsh9s
GWL Episode Playlist
The Dutch Studies
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLngVCeAoK6vudCwfy0R2Rvg_SH2QxBJTu
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Sasha Ayad: https://inspiredteentherapy.com/parents-start-here
Stella O’Malley: http://www.stellaomalley.com/parent-coaching
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129 - Is “Gender-Affirming Care” an Oedipus Trap