Dr. Nikki's Weekly Wrap-up
Historic women's basketball weekend, JK Rowling vs Scotland's hate crime law, assisted suicide for minors with psychiatric illness, and more evidence on gender treatment.
TGIF, welcome to Dr. Nikki’s Weekly Wrap-Up, where I highlight stories related to parenting and protecting childhood.
JK Rowling stands firm for women despite Scotland’s new hate crime law
On April 1st, Scotland’s amended hate crime law took effect three years after it was signed. The amendments include language that makes behaviors and speech that “is intended to stir up hatred” and added transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics to the list of grounds for offenses.
JK Rowling, who has been very vocal against transwomen in spaces designated for girls and women, courageously took to X to challenge the law expressing that she would support any woman who does the same.
Scottish law enforcement has reported being overwhelmed by the number of complaints since the law went into effect, but so far, no reports of the author being arrested.
Historic weekend for women’s college basketball
Last weekend, NCAA women’s basketball set records.
With a peak viewership of 24 million, the championship game was the most-watched men’s or women’s college or professional basketball game since 2019 and the most-watched sporting event since 2019, excluding the Olympics and NFL football.
The South Carolina Gamecocks were undefeated in the regular season. They beat the Iowa Hawkeyes in the championship game to end their season with a record of 38-0. This is the 10th time in NCAA history for a team to go undefeated.
Though the teams could use a JK Rowling as a head coach, seeing women dominate the weekend was exciting and inspirational for fans, especially girls and women athletes.
The Dutch lead in legalized assisted suicide for mental illness
Esther Beukemia, a 33-year-old, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at age 18 and began requesting assisted suicide only a few years later. She convinced her parents to support her suicide in 2021 and was reportedly the happiest she had ever been in her adult life in the weeks leading to her death.
It is no surprise to learn that the Dutch are years ahead of the rest of the world in making euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide legal for people with mental illness.
The country, also known for leading the way in sex-change services for children, enacted the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act in 2002.
What is surprising, however, is that the act permits assisted suicide for minors beginning at age 12 years.
Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Columbia have similar laws for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
Belgium has no age restrictions, and Colombia permits the act to begin at the age of 5.
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Enjoy your weekend with those you love.
Be educated. Be empowered. Be healthy.
