Unethical Psychological Studies: The Case of David Reimer

Summary

This video discusses the tragic case of David Reimer, a Canadian man born biologically male but raised as a girl after a botched circumcision led to the accidental destruction of his penis. Following Dr. John Money's theory of gender neutrality, Reimer underwent sex reassignment surgery and was monitored for years. Despite Money's claims of success, Reimer never identified as female, faced severe psychological distress, and eventually reclaimed his male identity. His story, detailed in John Colapinto's book 'As Nature Made Him,' ends tragically with his suicide at 38, highlighting the devastating consequences of misguided medical practices.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👦 David Reimer was a Canadian man born biologically male but was reassigned and raised as a girl after a botched circumcision.
• 👶 At 7 months old, David and his twin brother were diagnosed with phimosis and referred for circumcision; only David's procedure resulted in severe damage.
• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. John Money, a psychologist, advocated for gender neutrality and believed that gender identity was primarily formed through social learning.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Money convinced David's parents that sex reassignment surgery was in David's best interest, leading to a series of surgeries and treatments.
• 👧 David was renamed Brenda and was subjected to ongoing psychological support and assessments by Money, who used the case to support his theories.
• 🚫 The treatment was highly unethical, involving forced sexual rehearsals and invasive examinations, which Money believed were necessary for gender identity development.
• 📚 Money reported the case as a success, claiming Brenda displayed typical female behaviors, contrasting with her twin brother's, which was later disputed.
• 😔 Despite the treatments, David never identified as female and suffered from depression, bullying, and a sense of not belonging.
• 🔄 At 14, David's parents revealed his original gender, and he transitioned back to living as a male, taking the name David.
• 💔 David faced a lifetime of challenges, including unemployment, the death of his brother, and a difficult relationship with his family, culminating in his tragic suicide at 38.

Q & A

Who was David Reimer?

David Reimer was a Canadian man who was born biologically male but was reassigned and raised as a girl, Brenda, following medical advice and intervention after his penis was accidentally destroyed during a botched circumcision in infancy.

What was the original name of David Reimer?

David Reimer was originally named Bruce.

What was the name of David Reimer's identical twin brother?

David Reimer's identical twin brother was named Brian.

What was the name of the psychologist who advocated for David's gender reassignment?

The psychologist who advocated for David's gender reassignment was Dr. John Money.

What was Dr. Money's theory regarding gender identity?

Dr. Money was a proponent of the theory of gender neutrality, believing that gender identity developed primarily as a result of social learning from early childhood and could be changed with appropriate behavioral interventions.

What was the surgical procedure performed on David Reimer at 22 months old?

At 22 months old, David Reimer underwent a bilateral orchidectomy, an operation where his testes were surgically removed and a rudimentary vagina was fashioned.

What was the ethical controversy surrounding David Reimer's case?

The ethical controversy surrounding David Reimer's case involved Dr. Money's methods, which included forcing the twins to rehearse sexual acts and subjecting them to genital inspections, all under the guise of research and treatment.

How did David Reimer's life unfold after learning about his gender reassignment?

After learning about his gender reassignment at the age of 14, David assumed a male gender identity, underwent treatment to reverse the reassignment, and eventually married and became a stepfather. However, he faced lifelong challenges including unemployment, the death of his brother, and a difficult relationship with his parents.

What was the outcome of Dr. Money's reported success with the 'John/Joan' case?

Contrary to Dr. Money's reports, David Reimer did not identify as a girl while living as Brenda. He experienced ostracization, bullying, and suicidal depression, leading to a reversal of the reassignment and a return to a male identity.

How did David Reimer's life end?

David Reimer took his own life by shooting himself in the head with a sawed-off shotgun in a grocery store's parking lot on May 4, 2004, at the age of 38.

What is the title of the book written about David Reimer's case?

The book written about David Reimer's case is titled 'As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl' by John Colapinto.