Kulturkampf

[Uncle]

(I actually haven't seen any "contagion" arguments before, but I could certainly see how it's something you might do to fit in if that's your entire social circle)

people who say such things usually refer to it as a social contagion, and argue it's one of those things that proliferates now just because people know it's an option, even more so when it's a path to social power and righteous indignation

there was a time when it was just unthinkable and off the table for everyone, so practically no one did it

during that time were there a bunch of people who suffered and needed to transition? maybe?

during that time were there a bunch of people who eventually dismissed those feelings and ended up leading normal healthy lives, because their only option was to get over it? also maybe

I've seen a lot of people, myself included, who look back at middle school and think about the kind of struggles they had, and how if they were going through middle school today it might seem a compelling option, if all your peers and teachers glorify it as a potential solution