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Original poster

Is being trans heritable? Article in Psychology Today suggests it is

36 replies

IwantToRetire · 08/08/2023 17:45

... It is also important to note that throughout history, and in nearly all cultures, some people have adopted gender-atypical states, such as men (XY) behaving like the cultural stereotypes of women, and women (XX) behaving like the cultural stereotypes of men. It is important to emphasize here that gender-atypical states (or gender nonconformity) are not synonymous with gender dysphoria, as not all gender-atypical states result in distress or dysphoria.

... The scientific fact that gender preference is genetically heritable has either been ignored, disregarded, or politically misconstrued. Certainly, gender preference, to some extent, can be influenced by one’s culture and even popular social media, as attested by the increasing numbers of people over the past decade who identify as transgender.

However, the latter influence does not negate the scientific evidence for the heritability of gender preference. There is a firm consensus that intelligence is a highly heritable trait, and approximately 40 percent to 50 percent of its variability is attributed to genetic influences.

Note that this does not mean that there is a single gene or single gene location for intelligence, as multiple genes (a condition known as polygenic) contribute to one’s intelligence. It is interesting to note that gender preference has been shown to be more genetically heritable than intelligence and polygenic, as one twin study found gender preference up to 62 percent heritable.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/how-to-think-like-a-neandertal/202308/an-introduction-to-gender-sex-and-sexual-preference

I have no idea how influentila Psychology Today is, but came across this by accident, and wonder what they are trying to say. Or why.

Also note that the article says it is the 2nd of 3 and cant find 1 or 2.

An Introduction to Gender, Sex, and Sexual Preference

Part 2: The heritable nature of gender.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/how-to-think-like-a-neandertal/202308/an-introduction-to-gender-sex-and-sexual-preference

OP posts:
PatatiPatatras · 08/08/2023 19:51

Oh dear, they've come for the beginning of humanity itself.

Well they'll have to find a gene for it and make it detectable (yay genetic scanners in toilets, sports and prisons and the rise of the true trans? Or will we have to do a double acceptance - one of those who are genetically trans and another of those who aren't but can feel it? So many new power hierarchies... Anyway...)

They need a trans gene for the inheritance or they'll need to redefine genetic inheritance.
Quite a few communities will be interested in the latter. Redefining biology is so much easier.

FrancescaContini · 08/08/2023 19:38

OMdearG

SquirrelSoShiny · 08/08/2023 19:35

Neurodiversity is highly inheritance and it's probably the biggest co-morbidity with trans identification, especially autism. So in that sense it's likely inheritable but they're not making that very obvious connection. Idiots.

Kweeky · 08/08/2023 19:16

such as men (XY) behaving like the cultural stereotypes of women, and women (XX) behaving like the cultural stereotypes of men.
I would say teh sterotype of woman is someone who does the cooking and cleaning and of men watches footie and drinks beer.
Generalising of course but not many trans are indoors cleaning or propping up the bar. More like being women with beard and man in dresses.

lorrylau · 08/08/2023 19:04

It's just another stupid article written to justify and normalise male to female transgender and transsexuals and their desire to do and go wherever they want.

BrunchBunch · 08/08/2023 18:58

Also the sub-headline seems particularly stupid (both on the article and on the link) as it talks about "the heritable nature of sex". Surely that, at least, is not in doubt, since it's pretty much determined by particular genes on specific chromosomes, whatever else they might have to say about gender.

Igneococcus · 08/08/2023 18:43

If it were, it would be even stupider for TRAs to demand sterilizing kids before they can procreate.

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 08/08/2023 18:39

I suppose I was thinking this will become an article that people quote.

That somehow trans is genetic.

Also how can you evidence heredity. Isn't it just a likely to be that many families despite differences in generations, do often share their own "culture" ie a family that is more open minded probably helps children grow up to be open minded.

As opposed to the many instances we have heard where family homophobia has led children to decide they are trans rather than same sex attracted.

ie they seem to be saying that gender is an actual thing you inherit whilst at the same time saying gender is an imposition of cultural norms.

Thanks for the link to article 1.

At every point it seems that it is stating facts, they add in some rider that denies the facts.

Claims that all XX or XY people should act like women or men because of this chromosomal basis is an affront to the science of sex and gender and misses the scientific evidence that there is a difference between sex and gender and their biological heritabilities.

OP posts:
RoseslnTheHospital · 08/08/2023 18:07

Well it's a poor start to the article imo. He kicks off with this as his overview:

"Many recent editorialists, particularly in regard to trans women (MTW) and trans men (WTM), have noted that a trans woman still possesses XY chromosomes, and a trans man still possesses XX chromosomes. These same editorialists subsequently castigate trans people for presenting or identifying themselves as women or men."

He does not reference or quote any recent editorialists at all. He doesn't give a single example of where any of these supposed editorialists have "castigated" trans people for presenting outside of the gendered norms. He just expects us to take his word for it! Well, no. I'd like to see exactly what he's objecting to before taking that at face value.

After that, it's just a bad rehash of the same old regressive ideas dressed up as progressive. Cementing the idea that there are behaviours and preferences that "match" one sex or the other, and that people who don't conform to these are therefore trans or non-binary and no longer "cisgender".

Circumferences · 08/08/2023 17:56

Psychology today is completely captured.

Anyway, so what if "being trans" is genetic or not.
Humans still can't change sex. A penis still can't be a woman's organ. Children should still be left alone. Trans and gender non confirming people should still be respected and not discriminated against as they pretty much are in this country anyway.

It's a pointless article written for a pointless reason.

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