🎧 And Another Thing With Dave:

When Pronouns Meet Policy — Parental Rights, Puberty Blockers & Slippery Slopes

Puberty Blockers?

By David Smith | Host of And Another Thing With Dave

In this episode of And Another Thing With Dave, my returning guest Spirited Journey and I dive deep into one of the most pressing and emotionally charged conversations in our culture today: the evolving role of schools in matters of gender identity, medical consent, and the rights of parents.

🚸 From Pronouns to Puberty Blockers: Where Do We Draw the Line?

It started with a simple idea—should schools be allowed to use a student’s chosen pronouns without informing their parents? But as we explored the issue, a bigger picture emerged. We discussed the potential for a slippery slope—where affirming a child’s gender identity in secret could, intentionally or not, lay the groundwork for decisions around medical treatment, such as the administration of puberty blockers.

And while the comparison to birth control access for minors came up, Spirited Journey and I pointed out one key distinction: puberty blockers carry potential irreversible consequences—including sterility—and lack long-term, peer-reviewed studies that would justify their use in children.

🧠 Follow the Science—or the Ideology?

This naturally led us into a discussion about research bias and political ideology in academia. We referenced the paper Political Diversity in Social and Personality Psychology by Inbar and Lammers, which found that many psychologists openly admit to discriminating against conservative colleagues. That’s not just bias—it’s a systemic gatekeeping problem that determines who gets hired, what research gets funded, and what findings get published.

If the research that supports major medical and psychological treatments is born out of a politically homogenous echo chamber, how objective can it really be?

🧍 Real Lives, Real Consequences

We shared case studies—including a heartbreaking story of a child who underwent gender reassignment surgery as a toddler based on doctors’ recommendations, only to later commit suicide after learning the truth. Another child, whose parents sought second and third opinions and ultimately rejected early intervention, grew into a happy, well-adjusted adult.

These aren’t just theoretical debates. These are real children, real families, and real consequences.

🎓 Schools, Rights & Responsibilities

A powerful moment came when a listener posed a hypothetical: What if a white student in an interracial relationship asked a teacher not to tell her racist parents? Should the school stay silent? Does that make the parents “unfit”? Spirited and I argued that schools should remain neutral, not act as ideological actors. Schools should offer mental health resources and support, not conceal important emotional or identity developments from parents.

We both agree: more funding for school psychologists, better access to emotional support, and stronger communication systems are key—but not at the expense of transparency or parental involvement.

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💡 Final Thoughts:

This episode isn’t about taking an anti-anything stance. It’s about asking hard questions, advocating for better science, and protecting the rights of parents and children alike.

If we truly want what's best for our youth, we need more transparency, better research, and less ideology in our institutions—whether schools or the scientific community.

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📲 Listen Now

🎧 Find And Another Thing With Dave wherever you get your podcasts.
🎙 Episode: #435 Pronouns, Puberty Blockers, and Parental Rights: Where Do We Draw the Line?
👥 Guest: Spirited Journey

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