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In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in teenage girls without prior gender dysphoria identifying as transgender, often influenced by peers and social media. Between 2016 and 2017, requests for gender surgeries among young women in the U.S. quadrupled. Abigail Shrier, author of *Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters*, discusses this alarming trend, emphasizing the lack of medical oversight in the current affirmative care model, which encourages doctors to affirm a teenager's self-diagnosis without thorough evaluation. Shrier highlights that many of these girls, often from supportive backgrounds, are experiencing mental health issues and find validation in transitioning. She argues that the current medical regime lacks safeguards, leading to potentially irreversible decisions made by young individuals. The influence of social media and the allure of being part of an oppressed minority contribute to this phenomenon. Parents, particularly those who are politically progressive, often feel helpless and fear losing custody if they question their child's decision to transition. Shrier notes that many parents are blindsided by the rapid changes in their children's identities and the aggressive push from activists and educators. The conversation around gender identity has become a cultural battleground, with significant implications for women's rights and the experiences of transgender individuals.

Jordan Peterson interviews Abigail Shrier, author of "Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters." Shrier explains she wrote the book after a mother reached out about her daughter, who transitioned to transgender without prior symptoms of gender dysphoria. Shrier highlights a surge in teenage girls identifying as transgender, claiming this demographic shift is unprecedented and likening it to an epidemic. She notes that traditional gender dysphoria primarily affected boys, but now teenage girls are the leading demographic, often influenced by social media and peer pressure. Shrier criticizes the affirmative care model adopted by major psychological associations, which she argues lacks medical judgment and oversight. She expresses concern that therapists are compelled to affirm a patient's self-diagnosis without thorough investigation. Shrier cites a significant increase in young women seeking gender transition, with statistics indicating a rise from 0.01% to 2% among high school students identifying as transgender. The conversation touches on the role of social media in shaping identity and the potential for psychological contagion among adolescents. Shrier argues that many girls are encouraged to falsify their narratives about gender dysphoria, complicating the diagnostic process. She also discusses the long-term risks associated with medical transition, including irreversible changes from testosterone and surgeries like double mastectomy, which she claims lack adequate medical oversight. Shrier emphasizes the need for scrutiny in medical practices surrounding gender transition, advocating for a more cautious approach to treatment. She reflects on the backlash she has faced for her views, asserting that the truth must be prioritized over ideological commitments. The interview concludes with a call for open discussion and critical examination of the current trends in gender identity treatment.