At this point, the issue of gender has become a festering wound, gaining a serious dimension. For academics, the issue of 'genderlessness' has become a serious cultural project. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Psychiatrist, stating that social gender and biological gender are separate concepts, said, “On this matter, people speak not based on information and data, but according to their prejudices and interests. Opposing ideas should be discussed and debated. Gender orientation is not genetic. In America, Toronto, and Canada, a third-gender gene was searched for in over 477,000 people. No gene other than female and male chromosomes was found. However, those who produce social policy are talking about this. It has become an ideology," he said. Tarhan, stating that there is a serious divergence of opinion within medical and psychological schools regarding the period after adolescence, said, "'Let the child stay as they feel.' We cannot grant gender reassignment competency to a child who lacks legal capacity. There is no scientific basis for this, and its legal basis is also debatable," he emphasized, drawing attention to the issue.
The issue of genderlessness has become a global problem under the guise of gender equality. Psychiatrist, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that women and men are equal in rights and opportunities but biologically different because their brains work differently, referred to relevant literature and said that the behavioral patterns, fears, loves, and psychological needs of the two different genders are distinct, and shared his views on the discussions regarding this matter.
If people acted with the motivation to seek truth and find what is right, the reality would be very clear
Tarhan, stating that if we do not know the psychologies of women and men, we cannot know whether a relationship is good or bad, or where problems occur, mentioned that in his book 'Women's Psychology,' written in 2005, he also addressed women-men and marital relationships. He said, “At the point we have reached, the issue of gender has become a festering wound, gaining a serious dimension. For academics, the topic of 'genderlessness' has become a serious cultural project. Social gender and biological gender are separate concepts. In this regard, people inevitably speak not according to information and data, but according to their prejudices, feelings, desires, or if they have interests, according to those interests. If people acted with the motivation to seek truth and find what is right, the reality would be very clear. One needs to be a well-intentioned researcher looking out for the benefit of humanity and society. The perspective to consider is: 'When my benefit conflicts with society's benefit, do I think of society's benefit or my own benefit?' If they could think this way, the things that motivate people would be very different,” he addressed the academic world.
Let's seek the truth with the motivation to find facts, not in the form of ego battles
Referring to the words of Nobel laureate Psychologist Daniel Kahneman, Tarhan said, “‘Kahneman’s words, 'Why do these intelligent people do such foolish things, people are masters of self-deception,' are very striking. Even the smartest person cannot see a great truth due to their prejudices or mental blind spots. Traumas change prejudices. Therefore, discussing these issues is not bad; it's good. Opposing ideas should be discussed and debated. Namık Kemal has a beautiful saying: 'Sparks of truth emerge from the clash of ideas.' Let's talk and discuss to reveal the truths. Let's do this with the motivation to seek truth. Let's not do it in the form of ego battles. There is a noisy minority that cannot speak sincerely. Let's not pay attention to them and allow them to occupy our time and path. They will make noise, and we will continue on our way,” he said.
Everyone needs to join hands and do greater things
Tarhan stated that social media has transformed societies into a society of pleasure, likes, and spectacle. “This is an ongoing global flood. What do you do when a flood comes? You cannot go against the flood, nor do you just stand aside and wait. You take refuge in a log and move towards your goal. Currently, there is a serious global influence in the world. The more we can improve our own field, the more we will be able to navigate against this influence. Parents, general directorates, ministries… Everyone needs to join hands and do greater things. This is a responsibility. Not doing anything about this issue right now is like a traffic police officer standing aside and not intervening with cars. This will lead to social and moral accidents,” he warned.
Gender orientation is not genetic
“Gender orientation is not genetic. We say it is epigenetic, not genetic. Epigenetics is when environmental upbringing methods create genetic polymorphism, and this can change. There is evidence that it is not entirely genetic. In America, Toronto, and Canada, they researched whether there was a third-gender gene in over 477,000 people. According to research on nearly 500,000 individuals regarding a third gender, no gene other than female and male chromosomes was found related to a third gender. This article was published in Nature Journal in 2019. What is being said today is scientifically baseless. In fact, far from being confirmed, it has been disproven. That is, there is no such thing as dual gender or third gender. However, those who produce social policy are talking about it. This issue has become an ideology, a doctrine. Those who support this doctrine, those who have an interest in the matter, and those who make global plans are talking.”
A child asks parents about gender before the age of 10
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that there is no third gender other than male and female, said, “There are exceptions like Intersex, which occur in one out of ten thousand, carrying both genders. This is a disorder. Sexual identity develops through social learning. Therefore, it can change until the age of 11-12. After that, it becomes more difficult, changing if the person wishes. In most of these cases, we see reactive children who do not have good relationships with their parents or want to provoke them. Even if there is such a mistake in children with good parent-child relationships, the child observes and then gives up. That is why this situation is seen in weak families. Two concepts influence this process: weak family ties and bad friends. It is important to be able to correct these. If the child is in early adolescence, around 12 years old, or younger, the solution to this problem is in the hands of the parents. Especially before the age of 10, a child asks parents questions about gender. If parents use a common language and develop a similar attitude, the child tends to accept their family's truths in such situations because they biologically, sociologically, and psychologically need their parents. However, with the onset of adolescence, feelings of autonomy and independence begin. At that time, the child starts questioning their parents. They begin to do the opposite of whatever the father says because the child wants to say, “I have grown up.”” he said.
Let's not silence our children
“It is natural for a child to protest. It is also not healthy for a child of that age to be like a lamb,” Tarhan concluded his words with the following recommendations:
After adolescence, a completely different personality can emerge. Therefore, a child who asks questions and queries is doing the right thing. Let's not silence our children. In our culture, there is a saying, 'water for the elder, silence for the younger.' When you tell a child, “Shut up, you don't understand, you are a child,” the child internalizes it. They learn from other sources. They learn from social media. Let's talk with the child at home. Let's talk about what is wrong, let's talk about what is right. Why is this wrong? Why is this right? If we don't know, let's talk to an expert. Accessing information is so easy now. There are experts, there are books. Associations appropriate to our culture have been established. Help can be sought from them.
For the period after adolescence, there is also a serious divergence of opinion within medical and psychological schools. It is said, 'If this child feels this way, let them remain so.' We cannot say that a child who lacks legal capacity, for whom parents are natural guardians, and who does not have the competency to transfer money from a bank, has the competency to change gender. There is no scientific basis for this. Furthermore, its legal basis is seriously debatable. There is uncertainty in Turkey.”