1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Should children experiencing dysphoria be allowed to medically transition?

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by Assassin'sKat, Apr 19, 2017.

Thread Tools

Thread Tools

  1. Assassin'sKat

    Assassin'sKat
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2016
    Messages:
    645
    Likes Received:
    16
    Location:
    Your head, zombie.
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Out Status:
    Some people
    The argument for it is that, the younger you transition, the more like the opposite sex your body will be. The argument against it is that, someone this young cannot know if this is the right decision for them, and whether or not they are willing to deal with the consequences.

    Here is what I think:
    First of all, I personally don't know what it's like to deal with dysphoria. But I don't think anyone under ten or eleven can know that transitioning is right for them. Most people won't know until they are an adult and have more critical thinking skills, but I do think some people will know for sure in teen years.

    Also, while this is a rare case, there might be parents out there who encourage their kids to be trans, and manipulate their kids into thinking this is what they want when it's not. While this is extremely rare, there may be a few cases of this amungst people in the extreme left.

    Personally, I think adults should do whatever they want to themselves. So, they should be allowed to do this to themselves, even without being diagnosed with dysphoria. So I don't think you should need a doctors note or whatever.

    But teenagers certainly need to talk to professionals about this if they are to take any steps towards transitioning. Because they are too young to truly understand the consequences. But I do feel, in rare cases, that it's pretty obvious a teenager will be happier living as the opposite sex, even with the consequences. But, in these cases, they should have talked to a professional extensively before starting hormones.

    I do think it is important to prevent regret.

    What do you guys think?
     
    #1 Assassin'sKat, Apr 19, 2017
  2. MaoKingofcats

    MaoKingofcats
    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Messages:
    334
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Alaska
    Gender:
    Other
    Gender Pronoun:
    Other
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    Yea I agree with you. I think it's better if children/teens really are trans to transition when they're older or when they've talked to a professional.
     
    #2 MaoKingofcats, Apr 19, 2017
  3. ErickWolf

    ErickWolf
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2015
    Messages:
    338
    Likes Received:
    29
    Location:
    Virginia, US
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Other
    Out Status:
    Some people
    I agree with you guys. I also think for younger trans or questioning people puberty blockers would be helpful.
     
    #3 ErickWolf, Apr 19, 2017
  4. Bobsleigh1

    Bobsleigh1 Guest

    Yeah, preventing regret really is important, but If their gender is causing the kid real stress or discomfort then puberty/hormone blockers are perfectly harmless no matter how young and should be considered as an option more often. Then let them go further in their transition when they're a little older and/or compeltely sure that it's what they want. Their future self'll thank them.
     
    #4 Bobsleigh1, Apr 19, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 19, 2017
  5. Daydreamer1

    Daydreamer1
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2011
    Messages:
    5,680
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Other
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    People think when I say kids should be able to transition at an early age, that I'm saying an eight year old should have access to E or T shots and have top surgery before they turn ten. No, that's not how it goes.

    Stuff like hormone blockers should be made available to trans kids, because puberty can be very traumatic and it has no negative repercussions. If they decide to not transition, they can stop taking blockers and allow their puberty to continue naturally as it comes. I would much rather be in a position where that happens than have my child be miserable and potentially suicidal because they feel trapped.
     
    #5 Daydreamer1, Apr 19, 2017
  6. AlexJames

    AlexJames
    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2017
    Messages:
    1,139
    Likes Received:
    226
    Location:
    Texas
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    Other
    Sexual Orientation:
    Straight
    Out Status:
    A few people
    Everyone is saying puberty blockers are harmless. No they aren't. My sister was on them for totally unrelated reasons for a good while, cause mom was afraid she would start puberty early like i did and wanted to avoid that. They affected her mood terribly - she felt/acted like she was on her monthly 24/7, and it was making her lose friends and affecting her relationships with family members.
     
    #6 AlexJames, Apr 19, 2017
  7. Dryad

    Dryad
    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2013
    Messages:
    772
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Europe
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    Even if puberty blockers are not completely harmless, they should be an option.
    Maybe starting puberty would be even more harmful for some kids.
     
    #7 Dryad, Apr 20, 2017
  8. cocobean

    cocobean
    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2017
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    England
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    A few people
    I disagree that children don't know. I have seen documentaries where children believe they are the opposite gender. I also know a child personally where this is the case. The child is currently 7, was born a boy but ever since the age of 2 has said they should be a girl, and is growing up as a girl. She sees therapists regularly, has seen a specialist doctor. When she hits puberty she will start on treatment etc. She knows that she should be a girl, as do her family. I believe that everyone should be allowed to be who they are, and if this means a child transitioning then so be it. Of course, I'd expect medical professionals to be involved. The child I know will be eligible for gender reassignment surgery at the age of 16 if she chooses to have it. Her parents have always believed she was a girl, but never said this to her or anyone else until she said it herself, so she wasn't influenced by them. She is very happy living as a girl, and all her legal documents now state that she is female. I've known this child since birth, and before she said she was supposed to be a girl, she was very withdrawn as a child. As soon as she was allowed to be who she was, she was a completely different child, and a lot happier. A lot of people disagree with her parents for allowing her to live as a girl, but I think they did the right thing for their child. Her siblings also see her as their sister rather than brother :slight_smile:
     
    #8 cocobean, Apr 20, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)