Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books), by Mark A. Yarhouse
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Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books), by Mark A. Yarhouse
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Few topics are more contested today than gender identity. In the fog of the culture war, complex issues like gender dysphoria are reduced to slogans and sound bites. And while the war rages over language, institutions and political allegiances, transgender individuals are the ones who end up being the casualties. Mark Yarhouse, an expert in sexual identity and therapy, challenges the church to rise above the political hostilities and listen to people's stories. In Understanding Gender Dysphoria, Yarhouse offers a Christian perspective on transgender issues that eschews simplistic answers and appreciates the psychological and theological complexity. The result is a book that engages the latest research while remaining pastorally sensitive to the experiences of each person. In the midst of a tense political climate, Yarhouse calls Christians to come alongside those on the margins and stand with them as they resolve their questions and concerns about gender identity. Understanding Gender Dysphoria is the book we need to navigate these stormy cultural waters.
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books), by Mark A. Yarhouse - Amazon Sales Rank: #31520 in Books
- Published on: 2015-06-22
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.00" h x .48" w x 6.00" l, .0 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 191 pages
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books), by Mark A. Yarhouse
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Most helpful customer reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful. Insightful, Authoritative, Comprehensive, and Thought-Provoking By J. L. Dr. Yarhouse’s book is a unique and extremely valuable contribution to the discussion on gender identity, gender dysphoria, and how a local church can engage with people who experience gender dysphoria. The book is targeted towards Christians who are seeking to understand what gender dysphoria is and how to respond to it in a biblical way. However, I expect any person who is interested in the topic will gain something from it.This book is unique because Dr. Yarhouse possesses a unique combination of several crucial characteristics: (1) formal Christian theological training; (2) formal psychological training; and (3) over a decade of clinical experience in treating people who experience gender dysphoria. This combination of characteristics sets him apart from almost every other Christian who has published something on this topic and makes him one of the most authoritative voices that the evangelical church has for summarizing the latest research and providing thoughts on a way ahead.I found this book to be incredibly valuable for a number of reasons that I will attempt to summarize briefly.First, the book’s tone is very gracious and respectful. While this kind of respect should be the standard, in my experience it is not uncommon for people to write about transgender issues with tones of disdain. Throughout the book, Dr. Yarhouse puts in reminders that people who experience gender dysphoria are not any less worthy of respect than the average person, even saying (p. 41) “I acknowledge that we are – all of us – disordered. We do not like to think of ourselves as disordered, and this too is a reflection of the fall…What will make it harder is if we treat gender dysphoria as disorder while those of us who do not experience gender dysphoria…relate to others as though we are not ourselves disordered.”Second, I found the book to be an incredibly fair and even-handed treatment of the available literature on gender dysphoria. Over the years I have read the majority of published books and articles on this topic. (In contrast with published works on homosexuality, the volume of research and theological attention devoted to gender dysphoria is just a trickle.) Most authors on this topic only promote their own views and cite works that support those views. In contrast, Dr. Yarhouse provides a comprehensive and fair representation of existing views and research. The average proponent of the brain sex theory or sex reassignment surgery does not, in my experience, highlight Blanchard’s theories (except, perhaps, to denigrate them). Nor does the average Christian who believes transitioning is morally wrong tend to highlight studies by Diamond or Mazur. The Notes section at the end represents what is perhaps an unparalleled bibliography for the average person who is new to this subject and wants to understand what books and articles have been published about it.Third, Dr. Yarhouse identifies three common frameworks, or lenses, with which people today tend to view gender dysphoria. This is valuable because it can help people to understand how others may approach the subject differently, potentially leading to actual discourse versus just talking past each other. He also proposes an integrated framework that combines the best aspects of the three. I believe this integrated framework is a valuable tool for the church to build upon. One observation that I found particularly insightful was that people are looking for a sense of meaning and community and thus tend to gravitate towards the diversity framework (which celebrates the transgender experience) because it offers these things. In contrast, the integrity (commonly held in evangelical circles) and disability frameworks do not inherently provide meaning-making structures or storylines (p. 124 - “Most people do not find, ‘I’m managing my dysphoria in the least invasive way’ as a particularly meaningful storyline for identity and community”). This observation leads to reflection on how the church can better integrate this aspect of the diversity framework together with the others.Though I could fill this entire review with superlatives (I am giving the book five stars after all), I do have a few relatively minor critiques and comments that may help someone know what to expect.First, at times the book tends to read like a seminary textbook or a peer-reviewed article in a clinical journal. (Not surprising, since Dr. Yarhouse is, after all, a university professor and director of a research institute.) Words like “telos,” “noetic,” and “etiology,” which are readily understandable to someone who has studied Greek or regularly reads medical journals, frequently appear with little explanation. This is particularly the case in chapters 3-5, in which he reviews the available research and treatments. It is less the case in the chapters where he discusses Christian responses. Regardless, I think the book is approachable to anyone who is really wanting to understand more about gender dysphoria.Second (and related to the first item), facts and excerpts from books or studies are sometimes presented without a lot of commentary to help a person understand the meaning of those facts. This is understandable given that if Dr. Yarhouse were to stop and thoroughly explain every fact presented, the book would probably be ten times longer. It is also fine if one is already familiar with the topic at hand. However, if one is reading about gender dysphoria for the first time, there may be times when a fact, while true, may cause someone to attach the wrong meaning to the fact. The most notable instance of this to me was on p. 119 where Dr. Yarhouse presented a study by Dhejne et al., which concluded that the mortality/suicide rate was higher in post-operative transsexuals than in the general population. The average person, not understanding how high the suicide rate is in the pre-operative transsexual population, could easily read this and think that surgical operations increase the likelihood of a transsexual person’s suicide. The study did not factor in the mortality rate of pre-operative transsexuals (in fact the study even says “no inferences can be drawn as to the effectiveness of sex reassignment as a treatment for transsexualism. In other words, the results should not be interpreted such as sex reassignment per se increases morbidity and mortality. Things might have been even worse without sex reassignment.”) However, this was not explained in the subsequent commentary.Third, Dr. Yarhouse seems to use pronouns that are consistent with a person’s outward gender presentation. That is, if referring to someone who experiences gender dysphoria but is not seeking sex reassignment, pronouns consistent with the person’s biological sex are used. However, if referring to someone who is transitioning, pronouns consistent with the target gender are used. This may be unexpected and jarring to people who insist on sticking with the name and pronouns consistent with a person’s biological sex. In his associated Christianity Today article, Dr. Yarhouse explains, “If Sara shares her name with me, as a clinician and Christian, I use it. I do not use this moment to shout ‘Integrity!’ by using her male name or pronoun, which clearly goes against that person’s wishes. It is an act of respect, even if we disagree, to let the person determine what they want to be called. If we can’t grant them that, it’s going to be next to impossible to establish any sort of relationship with them.” However I do not recall a similar explanation in the book.To conclude, I am extremely grateful that Dr. Yarhouse took the time to write this book. Gender dysphoria is currently a very misunderstood and polarizing topic, and Dr. Yarhouse writes with an authority, clarity, and humility that deserves much respect and gratitude, particularly from the Christian church. Although I know this book is not going to please everyone, I think Dr. Yarhouse makes many insightful points that are well worth considering, regardless of your take on gender dysphoria.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Highly Recommended By A&J Torrey Author: Mark YarhousPublisher: CAPS Books (IVP Academic)Reading Level: ModeratePages: 191“We do not want to artificially endorse rigid gender stereotypes that make cultural normative expression of gender roles a marker of obedience to God or something along those lines.” (150-151)I am breaking my book review rule — I am writing in first person. Publications from IVP on sensitive subjects have a way of doing this. I requested Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (henceforth UGD) about a month before news broke on Bruce Jenner — henceforth Caitlyn Jenner. Shortly after the Jenner nighttime news special I found myself sitting on a porch discussing transgender issues. It did not surprise me how uninformed people (including myself) were about transgender issues. What was surprising was the general lack of interest concerning the issue.The Internet went wild with defenders of Caitlyn Jenner. Her decision to come out publically put the transgender issue on the map of even the casual American. The church was lurched forward at least a decade on a subject they would rather not know existed. I tried to stay silent as I waited for Mark Yarhouse’s book to be delivered. It went straight to the top of my review stack and I read it quickly despite some rather large, and current, deterrents to reading books.UGD is a phenomenal introduction to one particular portion of the transgender community — those who suffer from Gender Dysphoria. Key terms are provided for individuals unfamiliar with the issues (11). “No one navigates gender identity concerns in a vacuum” (23) and Yarhouse ensures that readers can identify Gender Dysphoria in a growing culture of many transgender issues. Gender Dysphoria occurs when one’s biological/birth sex does not match with a person’s perceived psychological sex. For those who have not experienced this disconnect the concept will seem foreign. Yarhouse attempts to shed light on this experience through chapters entitled “A Christian Perspective on Gender Dysphoria” (chapter 2) and “What Causes Gender Dysphoria?” (chapter 3).First, Yarhouse provides three lenses from which Gender Dysphoria can be viewed — Integrity Framework (46-48), Disability Framework (48-50), and Diversity Framework (50-53). These positions become valuable paradigms upon which to reflect on persons struggling with experiences on the continuum of gender dysphoria. There is no hiding that conservative Evangelicals will be drawn to the simplicity of the Integrity Framework and repelled by the potentially rebellious nature of the Diversity Framework. However, Yarhouse provides valuable insights into why an integrated from of these three lens may prove valuable to the church. Though it may be tough to hear, the church has done a poor job of helping people feel they “belong.” This is because teaching to “behave” has replaced a feeling of self-belonging. This often puts a strangle hold on individuals who want to share struggles and conflicts that arise from Gender Dysphoria. The LGTBQ community (and many others that are not sexual-orientation related) is fixated on belonging based upon who a person is and not how they behave.Though behavior needs to remain important to church life and Christian sanctification, pastors and church members need to permit a sense of belonging to people who suffer from Gender Dysphoria. Yarhouse might take this point further than some are willing to go, but the principals need to be processed thoroughly. While at times uncomfortable, I believe Yarhouse has highlighted one of the glaring signs that the church has forgotten hospitality. Compassion and grace are found for people who have struggles. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. The call to spend time understanding people and their place in life is hardly comparable to the suffering of Christ.Scientifically valuable, Yarhouse evaluates three possible reasons for Gender Dysphoria - “Brain-sex Theory” (67-74), “Blanchard’s Theory” (74-76) and “Multifactorial Models” (76-80). No easy answers are given though and Yarhouse concludes that no single theory dominates. Those who view Gender Dysphoria as a result of the fall (primarily through the Disability Framework) should not be hung up on the “how” as much as relating through compassion. UGD provides insights to the ways Gender Dysphoria can be discussed at different ages as well as the different stages of experience (chapter 5 — “Prevention and Treatment of Gender Dyphoria”).In evaluating how the church should respond, Yarhouse is harsh on adopting modern cultural gender roles as Biblical dictums (133-137, 150-151). When these “artificially endorsed gender stereotypes” become the standards for sin and disobedience otherwise godly people are put out and made uncomfortable. This is particularly pertinent to individuals struggling with internal dissonance such as Gender Dysphoria. These insights are not enough to qualify someone as a counselor, but it helps the church populace as a whole prepare themselves to be Christ’s hands and feet.In conclusion, Yarhouse is informative on the approaches Christians can take to Gender Dysphoria. He helpfully distinguishes Gender Dysphoria in the full spectrum of transgender issues. Understanding Gender Dysphoria is an incredibly timed publication that will help many pastors and laymen related to friends, family, and church members in helpful, compassionate, and Biblical ways.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. compassionate, but excessively fair By b While searching for resources to assist my parents in understanding transsexuality, I stumbled across this book and decided to give it a read. It's written from a Christian perspective, and my mother specifically raised concerns about being able to incorporate an understanding of transsexuality into her faith framework. So, I've been on the lookout for such resources.While I don't exactly hold the same beliefs as my parents when it comes to Christianity, I'm reasonably well educated in Christian doctrines. So, from that perspective - I found that for the most part, this book is fair and compassionate in its exploration of gender dysphoria. I also think it does a decent job of exploring the spiritual and religious ramifications of what it means to be transgender, particularly in the way it presents many different ideas on how these two concepts could be meshed together, and the pro's and con's of each. It also gives a good overview of some of the scientific theories behind the etiology of transgenderism in general.That Said. I have some issues with the book, from what I've read so far. If you're trans and are looking to give this book to someone as a resource, there are some things you need to be aware of.1. This book makes certain assumptions that I don't agree with, that I find quite arbitrary, and that I think contradict reality. The most glaring of these is the author's framing of the idea of "deconstructing sex/gender" - basically, the idea that biological sex is a spectrum rather than a strict dichotomy - as radical, subversive, and "bad". In my mind, the very existence of trans and intersex people seems to demonstrate that there can be gradations in between the poles of male and female. As fair is he is to other ideas, I don't really see his motivation for being so prejudiced against this particular idea, except perhaps to shore up his teleological argument in the first chapter about the god-ordained nature of the two dichotomous sexes.2. Ray Blanchard's "autogynephilia" theory is not only mentioned in this book, but it is given somewhat-serious consideration. To me this is a BIG RED FLAG. To be fair, the author treats AGP fairly dismissively, and alludes to the fact that it is unscientific, untestable, and has been thoroughly debunked. However, the mere fact that it was given any attention AT ALL in such a recently-published book is a bit disturbing. Which brings me to my third point:3. The author gives a number of different points of view on the whole subject, which in and of itself isn't necessarily bad, in my opinion. The problem is that he gives approximately equal weight to all of them, regardless of the amount of evidence for or against any one theory. He casts the shadow of "well, we don't /really/ know /for sure/" across the entire text, which, sure. We don't 100% know what causes people to experience gender dysphoria. But there is a huge body of evidence for biological/neurological causes, and in general, there is a consensus among researchers that it is highly likely to be a physiological phenomenon at its core. But he seems to gloss over this, and presents a false sense of competition among these different ideas as if they are all on equal footing. As if to say "we may never truly know 100% for sure, so it could just as likely be any of these." Which I find to be misleading and unnecessarily obfuscating.Those caveats aside, this book may well be of use as a resource for Christians to better understand trans people. My advice, though, is to supplement it with other materials, or at least some explanation, which give a more accurate view of modern scientific studies on transgenderism, ESPECIALLY material that more thoroughly debunks Blanchard's non-science.
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Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books), by Mark A. Yarhouse
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Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books), by Mark A. Yarhouse
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books), by Mark A. Yarhouse
