Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan was a live guest on the 'Günebakan' program broadcast on TRT Türkiye's Voice Radio. Evaluating the topic of 'genderlessness,' Tarhan explained, with scientific backing, that no scientific evidence has been found for a third gender. Drawing attention to an article published in Nature journal Science in 2019, Tarhan stated that a scientific study on gender, which included Oxford and Harvard, concluded that there is no third gender other than male and female.
“No Scientific Evidence Found Regarding a Third Gender”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, once again drew attention to the significant role of motherhood and fatherhood models in childhood. Tarhan said; “The starting point of these discussions, especially after the 1960s, is related to freedom in the world. Particularly sexual freedom… There is a sociological change emerging with the feminist women's liberation movement. In this sociological change, some medical information has now started to be misused. But in recent years, there is an article published in Nature Journal Science, especially in 2019. The genes related to gender of 477 thousand people were examined. This is a large study involving Oxford and Harvard. That study was published. It is a study that can be seen when searched on the internet as 'Nature no gay gene'. Here, regarding gender, it was researched whether 'Is there a third gender other than male and female, is there any scientific evidence related to these?' and no scientific evidence was found.” Tarhan pointed out that although published in 2019, the sociological effects of this movement continue today, stating that there is a conceptual confusion regarding sexual identity. Tarhan clarified the discussions:
Childhood Period is Important…
“There is a biological gender. Biological gender is determined by chromosomes, not genes. Female XX, male XY. Very clear and distinct. There are two specific genders, but social gender is divided into female role and male role. There is an exception to this. There can be individuals who are biologically female and wish to be male, or individuals who are biologically male and wish to be female. It was also researched whether 'Are these individuals sick, is it a medical illness, a psychological illness?' Scientists conducted studies asking 'Is there a genetic basis? Is there a hormonal counterpart?' And the result was that no genetic effect was found… However; it was understood that in childhood, in childhood traumas, the models of motherhood and fatherhood are important here.” he said.
“The individual must let go themselves, it cannot be forced”
Tarhan, stating that the environment affecting genes is an epigenetic situation, said; “If a boy is raised by a mother who devalues and belittles the opposite sex, and is overly attached and devoted to the child, the child, even if male, can identify with the mother rather than the father in terms of sexual role and identity. Because this happens at a young age, when the child reaches a certain age, the environment's influence on genes, which we call epigenetics, emerges. This situation is epigenetic. Sometimes the opposite can also happen. For example; there are no boys in the family, all children are girls… The entire family dresses and raises the girl like a boy from a young age, saying 'We didn't have a boy,' and gives her toys like guns, etc., to play with… Everyone acts that way. When the child reaches adolescence, they say, 'Come on, you're not a boy, you're a girl, act like a girl.' The child says, 'No, I won't, I'm happier this way,' because they learned that way. It's as if changing identity is perceived as changing clothes afterwards. Life events, experiences, stories, social learning, emotional learning experienced at young ages are written as scenarios in the brain. If it happens after the age of 18, since that person has made it a lifestyle, they must let go themselves, it cannot be forced.”
The child models three things…
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also emphasized that parental awareness is very important in this process. Tarhan stated; “If a person wants this to improve, it will. After 18 years old, it's too late. When you sense this in a child, you shouldn't let them pass 12-13 years of age. Therefore, this is more important than an investment in stone or land. Its consequences emerge later. It will emerge in 10 or 20 years. Here, decision-makers have a serious responsibility and accountability. So do parents… Because a child models three things at home. They model the mother, the father, and the relationship between the mother and father. If the home environment is warm and good, the child's development is also healthy. For example, a child is curious, learns from the internet, etc., asks their parents, and then can take a stance, saying this is wrong, these are not our cultural truths. Parents need to be conscious here, parents need education. This is also a responsibility. It is important for educational policies to be clear and precise in parent education. Children should definitely be under parental supervision until they are 5-6 years old. Films of this kind related to gender should be watched together simultaneously. When they see a mistake there, they should explain why it is like this, why it is right or why it is not right, with our method of discussing errors and their justifications.” he said.
Children change identity as a form of protest…
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, emphasizing that spending time with children prevents most problems, stated; “Raising children today is more difficult than 50 years ago. Because it's hard to educate, not just feed and water. A child eats, drinks, and grows in some way, but educating them and providing proper character education may not be easy. For this reason, parents should not say; ‘I'm meeting the children's basic needs, that's enough!’ Thinking about 'Will I be able to raise a good child?' for the future and spending time with children related to that prevents most of these problems. We look at the children who have problems in this regard. Generally, children who experience emotional neglect and are unhappy in the family turn to this as a form of protest. They change identity as a protest against their mother and father. Regarding sexual identity, they say, 'I feel this way.' They make their mother and father angry and take pleasure in it. These are all clinical cases. This is very important today. To avoid such misinformation, we must develop methods for this in our education system. Families need to be informed about these issues in schools.”