Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, participated as a speaker in the webinar days event titled “Adolescence and Identity Confusion in All Its Aspects,” organized by the Kahramanmaraş Ministry of National Education Dulkadiroğlu Guidance and Research Center (RAM). In the program, which took place with the intense participation of guidance counselors and psychological advisors, Tarhan made evaluations regarding sexual identity and sexual orientation, topics that have recently emerged and caused mental confusion. Tarhan emphasized that sexual identity emerges through social and cultural learning; “Biological sex is genetic; it is defined as male and female. Sexual identity is not innate; the claim that it is innate has no scientific or biological basis. Gender identity is formed through social and cultural learning.” he said.
“Sexual identity is not biological, it is formed through social learning”
Speaking at the heavily attended program, Tarhan said, “Confucius states that building society begins with the construction of concepts. Concepts are misunderstood when confined to words. Regarding gender, popular culture imposes a new language on societies. Biological sex is genetic; it is defined as male and female. The existence of a third sexual identity was researched by Oxford University, but it was revealed that such a gene does not exist. This is an evidence-based study conducted on 500,000 people. There are three types of gender: biological sex, sexual identity, and sexual orientation. The issue of sexual identity has no scientific or biological basis. It is formed through social and cultural learning. There is much evidence for this. One such event is the Oxana Malaya Case. A child who was lost in the forest as a baby in Ukraine and found at the age of 3, could not behave masculinely or femininely because she lived with animals and did not observe sexual identity. Such cases have shown that gender is formed not by genetics, but by epigenetics. There is a sexual identity scale published in America. As a university, we have published its Turkish version on our website. This scale reveals sexual identity disorders. These are formed through social learning and require therapy if the person accepts it.”
“Movements like LGBT are completely politicized structures, they are a subject of sociology, not psychiatry”
Tarhan offered advice on parents' approach to sexual identity and orientation; “The official age of adolescence is 18. Until the age of 18, parents are the sexual guardians and in such situations, they have the right to approve or disapprove of the child's desired sexual preferences and orientations. The family may officially disapprove of the child's preferences until the age of 18. Approaches like LGBT are completely politicized structures. They exert pressure and guidance on societies and families under the guise of freedom. One must not succumb to the pressures of such structures. LGBT and similar formations are currently advocating that pedophilia is a freedom and even supporting pedophilic marriages. This is not acceptable; it is a social pathology. Using someone who lacks legal capacity as erotic material is not freedom. These ideas have no scientific basis.” he stated.
“Global capital funds homosexual approaches to reduce the world's population”
Tarhan stated that sexual identities other than male and female are supported by global capital and made statements about the responsibilities of parents. Tarhan said; “Psychology is mind, brain, and culture. When the three combine, psychological integrity emerges. We have seen a 50 percent increase in cases related to homosexuality. It has increased further in the last 5 years and will continue to do so. Western-educated psychologists say, ‘Accept that your child's genetics are this way.’ No, such a genetic code does not exist. Global capital and the UN Population Fund are funding homosexual approaches to reduce the world's population. In cases presenting as gender identity disorder, we first administer the gender identity disorder scale. After determining the person's gender identity, we investigate their sexual orientation. If these individuals are in early adolescence, they can benefit from treatment options, but after the age of 15, parents only have a warning duty. When the family forces the child, they lose the child with an adverse reaction. After the age of 18, the family no longer has a say; it is necessary to accept that they are a separate individual. However, the family should use their right to disapprove, leaving a question mark in the child's mind. They should express that this situation does not align with our values. Families have a responsibility to teach our culture to their children.”
“Religiosity based on compassion and mercy, not fear, should be created”
Addressing psychiatrists, Tarhan touched upon what needs to be considered regarding religious references in therapy. Tarhan said; “Religion, language, and societal teachings are among cultural standards. Currently, scientific soundness has replaced religious soundness. We must accept this reality whether we like it or not. We must put religion into a laboratory, subject it to the test of critical thinking. When these conditions are not met, young people do not accept the truth. In this era, the method of persuasion and conviction is valid. Parents should not raise their children through fear. There is a feeling more important than love in the home: the feeling of compassion. In a home where feelings of compassion and respect are nurtured, children unconsciously imitate their parents. Parenting needs to be done in such a way that the child says, ‘I found this, this is a decision I made with my free will.’ Decisions made out of parental fear are not permanent. A religiosity based on compassion and mercy, not fear, needs to be established.”
“It is very important to be able to create good examples in the digital environment”
Emphasizing the importance of creating good examples that young people can emulate, Tarhan highlighted the digital age. Tarhan said; “Every adolescent experiences identity confusion. Some psychological schools define adolescence as a ‘normal schizophrenic period.’ Whoever the child's hero is, the child imitates them. Parents and teachers should provide role models for young people to emulate. The child looks around wondering whom to follow, takes examples from family and society, and constructs their own identity. In such situations, role models in the environment are very important. The internet and social media have dimensions of threat and opportunity in this regard. If we use the internet positively, it leads to good characteristics. Young people live in the digital age; it is essential to be able to present good examples in the social environment. A family's greatest education is raising good people. Ibn Khaldun says, ‘If you do not raise a good person, the legacy you leave them is worthless.’ The most beautiful legacy is to pass on a good moral teaching to the child. When we do this, let us not be afraid; the child will make one or two mistakes at first, but then they will find the truth.”
“No one can feel 100% male or female”
Tarhan shared insights about young people not hesitating to seek support from their families regarding sexual orientation and sexual identity; “Young people should be reminded that sexual identity choice is not genetic, not related to biological nature, and is not congenital but entirely acquired. There is no scientific evidence for a man feeling like a woman or a woman feeling like a man. No one can be 100% female or male; these feelings are present within all of us. Whichever feeling is dominant over fifty percent determines that gender. These individuals can be advised to make their decisions not based on their current state of mind, but by considering their situation 5-10 years in the future. Because many who undergo surgery to change their gender may later regret it. For this reason, those who are undecided on this issue can be advised to think long-term.”