03-29-2021, 11:20 AM
At some point we're going to have to be consistent about what it means to be an "adult". If an under 18 year old can make unalterable life decisions before they are 18, then surely we should lower the age of criminal responsibility to whatever age you can do the former? After all, if you're responsible enough to make one life changing decision the you're surely that would apply to other area of responsibility?
All that being said, I do understand that allowing youth to transition before the onset of the undesired sex's primary and secondary characteristics increases their chance at happiness and a lower suicide rate. I also worry that we're allowing youth to make major, life long, decisions before they are mature enough to do so. I also have concerns that some children are identifying as transgender as a "trend" or just to be different. Adolescence is a difficult time, and children are easily influenced. Simply feeling "odd" or different" is more than norm than the exception, and it may not take much in many cases to prod (either culturally or by individuals) a minor into thinking they are transgender and this is the source of those feelings.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/peer-pressure-and-transgender-teens-1536524718
In essence, I see both sides of the argument. At the end of the day it should be the decision of the parents, and the parents alone. What I'd be concerned about is children being removed from the home because the parents don't allow transition hormones., i.e. that it would be identified as child abuse. It's a topic fraught with long term consequences, no matter which side of the question you fall on.
All that being said, I do understand that allowing youth to transition before the onset of the undesired sex's primary and secondary characteristics increases their chance at happiness and a lower suicide rate. I also worry that we're allowing youth to make major, life long, decisions before they are mature enough to do so. I also have concerns that some children are identifying as transgender as a "trend" or just to be different. Adolescence is a difficult time, and children are easily influenced. Simply feeling "odd" or different" is more than norm than the exception, and it may not take much in many cases to prod (either culturally or by individuals) a minor into thinking they are transgender and this is the source of those feelings.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/peer-pressure-and-transgender-teens-1536524718
In essence, I see both sides of the argument. At the end of the day it should be the decision of the parents, and the parents alone. What I'd be concerned about is children being removed from the home because the parents don't allow transition hormones., i.e. that it would be identified as child abuse. It's a topic fraught with long term consequences, no matter which side of the question you fall on.
