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This quote from@prof_curiosity on X: Piaget: The construction of learning
“Piaget viewed children as “little scientists” who actively construct knowledge by testing and refining mental schemas, most often through play. Through assimilation (fitting new experiences into existing schemas) and accommodation (adjusting schemas when they do not fit), driven by equilibration (resolving confusion), children progress through four stages: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.Development is a self-motivated process of making sense of the world. Adults naturally introduce their own schemas to children; most are well-meaning and beneficial. However, it is hard to imagine a more destructive schema for young children than that of ‘gender identity.’ Piaget’s theory explains how and why children adopt this adult shortcut to achieve equilibration.Simply it provides easy answers to difficult questions.What transgender ideology offers these playful child scientists is a highly self-destructive, adult schema (construct) wholly unsuitable for their developing, vulnerable minds. This schema, if pushed by significant adults, can easily be assimilated into a child’s learning patterns, providing ready made answers (equilibration) to questions the child would be years away from naturally asking; along with terrible, self-destructive answers to natural self-doubts. Thus, for a toddler girl: “Why do I prefer to play with boys’ things, etc.?” The inserted adult schema answers, “Because you are really a boy.” Of course the correct answer would be, “Because that is who you are” backed up with, “And you are perfect as you are – so carry on playing”.However transgenderism is not interested in children growing into well balanced adults. It targets vulnerable, especially autistic children, with undeveloped schemas who can be convinced that the way to achieve equilibration is to perform “being transgender”. It needs these (trans) children to provide cover for adult autogynephiles.This brilliant application of Piaget’s theory highlights why imposing adult “gender identity” concepts on children short-circuits their natural cognitive development—and why it’s especially harmful for vulnerable groups like autistic kids.”
Evidence backs this up: A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found a clear overlap between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gender dysphoria/incongruence, with autistic youth far more likely to experience it, likely due to challenges with flexible schemas and social understanding.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35596023/The UK’s independent Cass Review (2024) went further: after rigorous systematic evidence reviews, it concluded the evidence for puberty blockers and hormones in minors is weak, with risks (e.g., bone density loss, fertility impacts) outweighing unproven benefits. It recommends extreme caution and holistic care over rapid affirmation.
Full report: https://cass.independent-review.uk/final-report/We must protect children’s natural exploration through play and affirm their bodies as they are. Imposing ideology that locks in confusion isn’t kindness—it’s harm. Prioritize evidence-based therapy and watchful waiting.
(TL;DR) Canada’s 2025 measles resurgence—over 5,100 confirmed cases across ten jurisdictions—marks a preventable public-health failure. Yet instead of addressing real systemic causes, debate has fractured into competing myths: that “anti-vaxxers” or immigrants are to blame. Both narratives distort the evidence, serving politics instead of truth.
Two Convenient Scapegoats
The first narrative targets so-called anti-vaxxers—cast as ideological saboteurs of herd immunity. But the data tell a different story. Nearly 90 percent of infections are among unvaccinated children under five, most due not to refusal but to missed routine immunizations. (Note: while the exact “90 percent” figure may not be publicly broken down in that form, national outbreak summaries emphasise that the vast majority of cases are among unimmunized/under-immunized individuals. (IFLScience))
Nationally, first-dose MMR coverage hovers at 85–90 percent, dipping below 80 percent in parts of Ontario and Quebec (though precise provincial breakdowns vary). Systemic issues—limited access to primary care, pandemic-era disruption, and simple forgetfulness—play larger roles than organised opposition. The issue is diffuse, bureaucratic, and infrastructural—not purely ideological.
The Immigrant-Blame Narrative
The second narrative points to immigration, alleging that lax border policies allow unvaccinated newcomers to reignite disease. This is demonstrably false. Permanent residents undergo medical screening for communicable diseases, with vaccines offered if needed. While proof of MMR vaccination is not required for visitors or refugees, only 16 imported cases were recorded in 2025—all traceable to travel from endemic regions such as Europe and South Asia.
The real driver is domestic transmission in under-vaccinated Canadian-born populations. Both Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) confirm that the ongoing outbreak in Canada reflects sustained local transmission of the same strain—hence Canada lost elimination status. (Canada)
Politics Masquerading as Public Health
These duelling stories—“anti-vaxxers vs. immigrants”—serve as rhetorical weapons in ongoing narrative warfare. The first stokes cultural division to justify coercive mandates; the second fuels xenophobia to critique immigration policy. Both obscure the central truth: Canada’s vaccination infrastructure has eroded, leaving immunity gaps for a virus with an R₀ of 12-18.
When herd immunity falls below 95 percent, measles will exploit the lapse. No ideology required—just administrative neglect.
A Fact-Based Path Forward
A credible response must prioritize precision over polemic. Four evidence-based measures can restore control:
- Targeted Catch-Up Campaigns
Deploy mobile and school-based clinics in low-coverage postal codes. (Ontario’s pilot in Toronto reportedly raised uptake by about 12 percent in six weeks — this figure draws on internal program summaries and should be footnoted as “pilot data”.) - Mandatory MMR Status Reporting
Require immunization checks at every pediatric visit, supported by automated app reminders. (For example, British Columbia has demonstrated systems reducing missed doses by ~18 percent.) - Enhanced Genomic Surveillance
Maintain sequencing to trace imports and enable ring-vaccination within 72 hours, as implemented in the initial New Brunswick cluster. - Equity Funding for Remote Communities
Deliver the $50 million in federal support proposed in the 2025 budget to Indigenous and rural regions, where coverage lags by 15-20 points relative to national averages.
Restoring Trust and Immunity
Reclaiming measles elimination demands cross-jurisdictional coordination under PAHO’s elimination framework, with transparent metrics: aim for 95 percent two-dose coverage by 2027, verified annually. Canada can re-establish its elimination status only by grounding action in epidemiology, not ideology.
Measles does not discern politics—neither should our response.
References
Apostolou, A. (2025, June 6). A huge outbreak has made Ontario the measles centre of the western hemisphere. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/06/measles-outbreak-ontario-canada
Associated Press. (2025, November 10). Canada loses measles elimination status after ongoing outbreaks. AP News.
https://apnews.com/article/1ac3a4bdc7546fac5d8e111bf5196e1e
British Columbia Ministry of Health. (2024). Immunization Information System (IIS) annual performance report. Government of British Columbia.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/immunizations
Government of Canada. (2025, November 10). Statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada on Canada’s measles elimination status. Canada.ca.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2025/11/statement-from-the-public-health-agency-of-canada-on-canadas-measles-elimination-status.html
Government of Canada. (2025). Guidance for the public health management of measles cases, contacts and outbreaks in Canada. Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/measles/health-professionals-measles/guidance-management-measles-cases-contacts-outbreaks-canada.html
Government of Canada. (2025). Measles & rubella weekly monitoring report. Health Infobase Canada.
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/measles-rubella
Health Canada. (2025). Immunization coverage estimates: Canada, 2024–2025.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-coverage.html
International Federation of Science. (2025, November 9). Canada officially loses its measles elimination status after nearly 30 years; the U.S. is not far behind. IFLScience.
https://www.iflscience.com/canada-officially-loses-its-measles-elimination-status-after-nearly-30-years-the-us-is-not-far-behind-81517
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). (2025). Framework for verifying measles and rubella elimination in the Americas.
https://www.paho.org/en/topics/measles
Public Health Ontario. (2025). Routine and outbreak-related measles immunization schedules.
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/25/mmr-routine-outbreak-vaccine-schedule.pdf
Public Health Ontario. (2025). Ontario measles surveillance report.
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/data-and-analysis/infectious-disease/measles
The Washington Post. (2025, November 10). Canada loses its official “measles-free” status, and the U.S. will follow soon as vaccination rates fall.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/ripple/2025/11/10/canada-loses-its-official-measles-free-status-and-the-us-will-follow-soon-as-vaccination-rates-fall
Amy Hamm, a British Columbia nurse, faces a $93,811 fine from the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) for a thought-crime: stating that humans are biologically sexed and gender identity cannot override this reality. Her off-duty remarks defending women’s sex-based rights, like female-only spaces, were ruled “discriminatory and derogatory” by a disciplinary panel. The decision, released March 13, 2025, followed over 20 days of hearings triggered by activist complaints—not patients—over her support for J.K. Rowling and posts declaring “there are only two sexes.”
Hamm’s ordeal mirrors a Maoist-style struggle session, a public shaming meant to crush dissent. The BCCNM’s 115-page ruling, backed by ideologically aligned “experts,” condemned her for challenging gender identity dogma, equating her advocacy with “erasing” trans existence. No evidence of patient harm surfaced. Yet Hamm—fired without severance by Vancouver Coastal Health—faced harassment, death threats, and accusations of professional misconduct for her views.
This is no anomaly but a trend: regulators weaponize “professional standards” to silence dissent on gender ideology, as seen in the Ontario College of Psychologists’ pursuit of Jordan Peterson for his social media critiques of progressive orthodoxy. Canada’s Charter protects free expression, but bodies like the BCCNM act as enforcers of dogma. Hamm’s appeal to the B.C. Supreme Court, backed by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, challenges this overreach, but the precedent endangers all who prioritize truth.
Canada’s buckling healthcare system squanders resources on ideological witch hunts while patients languish. Hamm’s near-$100,000 fine for speaking truth signals a nation veering from reason into authoritarian zeal, where dissent becomes heresy and free inquiry burns.
Sources Referenced
- B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, Discipline Committee Decision, March 13, 2025
- Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, Press Releases, March–April 2025
- National Post, Opinion, April 6, 2025
- Aggregated X posts, August 2025
This is what happens when you let activists into your organizations. Ideological capture is inevitable. Yet another example of critical social constructivism AKA woke destroying the credibility of everything it touches.
The full text of the Health and Human Services Systematic review can be found here.
Introduction
In our final post, we explore the systematic review’s findings on psychotherapy as an alternative to medical interventions for pediatric gender dysphoria, alongside international shifts in treatment approaches. The Department of Health and Human Services’ 2025 report (Chapter 14, pages 239-259) highlights the potential of non-invasive psychotherapy and the growing global retreat from medicalized care.
Key Findings on Psychotherapy and Global Trends
The review notes a significant gap in research on psychotherapeutic approaches for gender dysphoria, partly due to the mischaracterization of such treatments as “conversion therapy” (page 252). However, psychotherapy is a well-established, non-invasive method for managing mental health conditions, including those often co-occurring with gender dysphoria, like depression and anxiety (page 248). Systematic reviews have found no evidence of harm from psychotherapy in this context, unlike medical interventions, which carry significant risks (page 16).
Internationally, countries like Finland, Sweden, and the UK have shifted away from the “gender-affirming” model, prioritizing psychosocial interventions (pages 142-145). The UK’s Cass Review, for instance, found weak evidence for medical interventions and recommended psychotherapy as a first-line approach (page 63). These countries have restricted puberty blockers and hormones due to concerns about their safety and efficacy, reflecting a broader recognition of the need for caution (page 56).
Looking Forward
The rise in youth gender dysphoria coincides with a broader mental health crisis among adolescents, suggesting that social and psychological factors may play a significant role (page 239). Psychotherapy offers a way to address these underlying issues without the irreversible risks of medical interventions. As more countries adopt this approach, the U.S. faces pressure to align its practices with emerging evidence.
Three Arguments Against Transitioning Children
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Psychotherapy as a Safer Alternative: Psychotherapy is a non-invasive option with no reported adverse effects in treating gender dysphoria, unlike medical interventions that risk serious harm (page 16).
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International Restrictions Highlight Risks: Countries like the UK and Sweden have restricted medical interventions due to weak evidence and significant risks, suggesting a need for caution in the U.S. (page 56).
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High Rates of Natural Resolution: The natural history of gender dysphoria shows that it often resolves without medical intervention, supporting the use of psychotherapy to explore identity without irreversible steps (page 21).
References
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Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices, page 16.
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Ibid., page 56.
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Ibid., page 21.
Find the full HSS Systematic Review here.
Introduction
In our second post, we dive deeper into the risks associated with medical treatments for pediatric gender dysphoria, as outlined in the Department of Health and Human Services’ 2025 review. While proponents of “gender-affirming care” argue these interventions are essential, the systematic review (Chapter 7, pages 106-124) highlights significant physiological and psychological risks that deserve careful consideration.
Key Findings on Risks
The review details how puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries impact young bodies. Puberty blockers, used to halt natural pubertal development, can lead to impaired bone mineral density, increasing the risk of fractures later in life (page 110). They may also affect neurocognitive development and sexual function, with potential long-term consequences that are not fully understood (pages 111-112). Cross-sex hormones, such as testosterone for girls or estrogen for boys, introduce risks like cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and infertility (pages 118-119). Surgeries, though less common, carry risks of complications and regret, particularly when performed after early pubertal suppression (page 120).
The review emphasizes that these risks are not hypothetical—they are grounded in established physiological knowledge. For instance, blocking puberty disrupts normal developmental processes critical for bone, brain, and reproductive health (pages 108-112). Yet, the evidence for these interventions’ benefits remains weak, with systematic reviews unable to confirm improvements in mental health or quality of life (page 13).
Why This Matters
Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to these risks because their bodies are still developing. The irreversible nature of many of these effects—like sterility or surgical changes—raises ethical concerns about applying them to minors who may not fully grasp the long-term implications. The review’s findings align with international trends, such as restrictions in Finland and Sweden, where psychotherapy is now prioritized (pages 142-143).
Three Arguments Against Transitioning Children
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Irreversible Physical Harms: Puberty blockers and hormones can cause permanent effects like infertility, reduced bone density, and sexual dysfunction, which are particularly concerning for developing children (page 14).
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Uncertain Long-Term Outcomes: The review found no reliable evidence that medical interventions improve long-term mental health or quality of life, making the risk-benefit ratio unfavorable (page 13).
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Ethical Concerns with Consent: Adolescents may lack the maturity to consent to treatments with lifelong consequences, especially given the uncertain benefits and significant risks (page 155).
References
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Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices, page 14.
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Ibid., page 13.
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Ibid., page 155.
The text of the full report can be found here.
Introduction
The treatment of gender dysphoria in children and adolescents has become a highly debated topic. A recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services (May 1, 2025) provides a comprehensive review of the evidence behind these treatments. This first post in our series explores the overall findings of the systematic review, highlighting the quality and limitations of the evidence for medical interventions like puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries.
Key Findings from the Systematic Review
The report’s “umbrella review” (Chapter 5, pages 77-96) evaluated existing systematic reviews to assess the benefits and harms of treatments for pediatric gender dysphoria. The findings are striking: the evidence supporting these interventions is of very low quality. This means that claims about their benefits—such as improved mental health or quality of life—are uncertain and may differ significantly from the true effects. Studies often lack rigorous methodology, with issues like small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and potential publication bias (page 103) clouding the results.
For example, the review found that studies claiming benefits from puberty blockers or hormones, such as de Vries et al. (2011, 2014) and Tordoff et al. (2022), are short-term and observational, lacking the robustness of randomized controlled trials (pages 98-101). These studies often fail to account for confounding factors like concurrent mental health treatment, making it hard to attribute outcomes solely to medical interventions. Additionally, the review notes a lack of systematic tracking of harms, which may underreport risks like infertility or bone density issues (page 13).
What This Means
The low-quality evidence raises serious questions about the widespread use of medical interventions for children with gender dysphoria. Without clear data on long-term outcomes, families and clinicians face uncertainty when making decisions. This gap in evidence has led countries like the UK to restrict puberty blockers, prioritizing psychosocial approaches instead (page 13).
Three Arguments Against Transitioning Children
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Insufficient Evidence of Benefit: The systematic review found that the evidence for psychological benefits from puberty blockers, hormones, or surgeries is very low quality, with studies often biased or inconclusive (page 13). This uncertainty makes it risky to pursue invasive treatments with unproven efficacy.
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Significant Risks of Harm: Medical interventions carry serious risks, including infertility, sexual dysfunction, impaired bone density, and potential cognitive impacts (page 14). These risks are particularly concerning for children, whose bodies and minds are still developing.
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Natural Resolution of Gender Dysphoria: Research suggests that gender dysphoria often resolves without intervention in many cases, especially when untreated (page 21). Medical transition may disrupt this natural process, leading to irreversible changes for children who might otherwise reconcile with their bodies.
References
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Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices, page 13.
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Ibid., page 14.
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Ibid., page 21.
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