In April 2021 the legislature of the U.S. State of Arkansas introduced a bill that prohibited doctors from providing gender-transition treatments to people under 18 years old. The bill would make it a felony for doctors to administer puberty blockers, hormones and gender-reaffirming surgery to anyone under the age of 18. Opponents of the bill argue that it is an assault on transgender rights and that transition treatments are a private matter that should be decided between parents, their children and doctors. Supporters of the bill argue that children are too young to make the decision to receive gender transition treatment and only adults over the age of 18 should be allowed to do so.
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@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
No
These mental health issues which are arising in children will not be fixed with medical intervention. This is a horrible band-aid which does nothing to address the root issues, which are related to a lack of quality parenting, role models, and technological education. These kids need love and guidance more than any generation that has come before us. But not the kind of love that coddles and protects; they need assurance that the world is what they make it, and they have to take ultimate responsibility for the good they want to see in the world.
You can always get it done once you’re brain has fully developed and your decision isn’t based on peer pressure or peer acceptance
@9FXQ8JM 1yr1Y
There is no argument this is **** ing Clown World. Wait till the kid is 18 for **** sakes it’s not hard.
The medical, clinical and vast scientific consensus shows that gender affirming care is critical for the wellbeing of trans people. And having entitled cis people make decisions for us at the expense of our wellbeing is a constant source of stress and frustration. Denying safe and life saving care to people going through their endogenous puberty should be a **** ing crime, there’s so much evidence that letting it go through causes so so much harm, I would know, it’s happened to me.
@9FCFVT31yr1Y
In a sport setting it's unfair. A lot of women feel uncomfortable have biological men in their changing rooms.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
Yes
@9FC55GL 1yr1Y
Top Disagreement
You can’t even buy alcohol under 18 how is it okay for a child to be allowed to permanently change their body for ever
Going on hormone blockers is enough to at least stop these children from committing suicide, with a guardians consent, or a trusted advisor, these kids should be allowed to be in the bodies they most align with, just like the Cis kids their age. If someone can get a tattoo, a piercing, or even cosmetic surgery with their parents consent, it should be no different for gender affirming care.
If a child has ovarian cancer they should be able to consent to removing their ovaries. Gender dysphoria is a health risk that can lead to suicide and gender affirming care decreases this health risk. It's the same as any other illness. 99% of cases children only get puberty blockers anyway, these do not permanently change the body just gives time to decide. Actual surgery is extremely rare.
@9FJHV7ZNew Conservative 1yr1Y
Bodies and Brains need time to develop - let them be children and experience growth, puberty and people
We need to better teach our children to love themselves, celebrating differences instead of superficially, and medically, changing them.
People under the age of 18 are still majorly developing mentally. A huge array of mental factors can cause gender dysmorphia along with a loss of self identity. A decision made before 18 years of age will highly likely be regretted in years to come once further matured.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
No, children should not be allowed to make irreversible life decisions
Their body, their choice. As long as they have access to unbiased and helpful medical professionals throughout their transition
Making an irreversible decision when your brain hasn't even finished it's development (around age of 25), is wrong. Children should be supported for whatever they are going through, but it should be clear that those decisions should be taken when more mature and a physical age is acquired.
@9G4C669 1yr1Y
I think the whole ordeal is ridiculous. Look at international statistics where people are suing and suffering due to doctors on the "woke train" who have allowed underage patients or allowing those without a psychological examinations to make decisions based on how they feel that week.
@9G5MLKM1yr1Y
I beleive once you are in you mid to late 20's, possibly even 30's is when you know what you actually want in life. People younger then 25 I believe are influeneced very easily and want to follow the crowd and be in with the current and "cool" things that everyone is doing. There might be regret later in life once they have matured and realised they made the wrong choice due to naievity
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
Yes, but only for non-surgical treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy
@9G4C669 1yr1Y
Top Disagreement
I think the whole ordeal is ridiculous. Look at international statistics where people are suing and suffering due to doctors on the "woke train" who have allowed underage patients or allowing those without a psychological examinations to make decisions based on how they feel that week.
I completely agree, it is ridiculous to have someone be able to access valuable health care in order to transition to a male or female because they FEEL that way. It's a mental health issue.
@AmnestyLukeGreen1yr1Y
It's interesting to view this issue from a mental health perspective. It's important to know that the World Health Organization no longer classifies being transgender as a mental disorder, it's considered a condition related to sexual health. Many medical professionals agree that gender dysphoria, the distress a person experiences as a result of the sex and gender they were assigned at birth, is a serious issue that can be alleviated with gender-transition treatments.
An example is a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics which showed that access to puberty blockers durin… Read more
I dont think people should be transitioned at all, I think the WHO no longer viewing this as a Mental health issue is due to modern politics and political correctness.
There mere fact that a large amount of individuals who identify as transgender also have higher suicidal tendency or require a puberty blocker illustrates to me that it is still a mental health issue, people who have a disconnect from their mental reality and physical reality (other than those who are truly intersex) should not be treated with life altering drugs, certainly not from a young age or taken to with a scalpel as thi… Read more
@EuphoricV0terACT1yr1Y
While it's true that there have been a few legal cases related to this issue, it's important to remember that they represent a very small fraction of the people who undergo these treatments. For instance, the Swedish study often cited actually shows a decline in mental health issues post-transition. Additionally, professional medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics support the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for adolescents, following thorough assessment and counseling. They argue that these treatments can significantly reduce distress and improve psychological well-being.
What do you think about professional medical organizations' stance on this matter? How would you suggest we balance the potential benefits of these treatments with the concerns you've raised?
It hasn't need around long enough to gather data on if it actually saves lives or improves people's mental health in the long term and kids can't legally consent
Under the age of 18 any gender treatments should be illegal. Under 25 the frontal lobe is not fully developed and so many people regret transitioning. Parent consent or not under 18 no child should be allowed to transition
I don't feel anyone under 18 years old should be able to make that decision as many tend to change their minds just because they went through a phase.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
Yes, but with parental permission
@9FB8H5N1yr1Y
If you cannot operate a vehicle without a license and potentially put others in danger, you should not be able to make those decisions
It’s unnatural and wrong, even some parental guidance shouldn’t be trusted due to the fact the upbringing of the child in the household directly correlates to the fact they will want a gender switch, e.g. two mothers, two fathers, lack of father figure.
Yes but only after some therapy sessions to unpack this life-changing decision.
@ISIDEWITH5mos5MO
What is the best way to balance an individual’s right to express their identity with the need to protect them from possibly making irreversible choices too early?
@9FN8LBQ1yr1Y
with guidance and parental support
@9FMDNG21yr1Y
Yes, but only after a certain amount of time where they know they identify as trans
@9FK79VY1yr1Y
Yes, if recommended by medical professionals
@9FJV5XF1yr1Y
Only with free qualified therapy sessions first
This should be based on the needs of the individual, with professional help to assist with mental, social and medical decisions to serve those needs. The public do not have the right to the private details of those involved, and persons without this knowledge should have no influence over such personal decisions.
@9FFVN66 1yr1Y
Each to their own, it’s your own choice no one else’s
@9FFSK3G1yr1Y
Non of my or anyone else’s business
The people and parents can decide what's best for them. It shouldn't impact anyone else.
its a choice off your own
@9FDXSHP1yr1Y
Absolutely not! Gender transitioning isn't a 'treatment' It's an irreversible mutilation that none of them are mentally equipped to consent to! Any medical professional practicing such harmful procedures should be criminally charged!
No, they should be given mental treatment as it is a mental disorder
This shouldnt be available to anyone.
Yes with consultation from parents and doctors weighted more towards the doctors professional opinion, also with provision for second opinions from a different medical professional within the field
@9FCHP7P1yr1Y
Define treatment i.e. is using preferred names considered treatment because it’s gender confirming?
@9FCH44S1yr1Y
Must be 16 with parental permission and a professional counselor approves it’s the right thing
@9FC489L1yr1Y
This is not an easy question; young people who have diagnosed with gender disphoria should be supported and Medical professionals should be involved
@9FBTPND1yr1Y
Yes with parental permission. It should not be government subsidized and there must be an indepth criteria and evaluation to ensure the person understands, is mentally fit to follow through and educated in the process.
@9FBB4FQ1yr1Y
Yes but a thorough process needs to take place beforehand
Yes, if medically advised
Yes, if they have access to the right education as to the effects and implications of what they are doing
@9FB39CH1yr1Y
No impact to me but I think we do need to set a legal age.
@9FB2NMQ1yr1Y
I don’t think i’m in any position to tell someone else how to live their life
Yes although anything surgical should be 16+ and under guidance from multiple medical professionals
Yes but 16+ when psychologically/medically indicated for anything surgical
Complex issue and individual cases so can’t be answered this way.
Too complex to answer in a tick box
@9F9D82G1yr1Y
Absolutely not the age limit should be 25, as the frontal lobe is developed
@9F9D2DH1yr1Y
I agree with this being able to happen but 18 us too young I would say 22 onwards
Yes, however i would be concerned with influence in today's society. Should have parent and psychiatric consultation to ensure the individual fully understands and is making the choice for themselves / the right reasons.
Needs to be on a case by case basis
@9F95WZG 1yr1Y
Yes, but only for non-surgical and reversible treatments such as puberty blockers and speech therapy. Also, reduce age of informed consent for hormone therapy and other irreversible procedures from 20 to 18.
@9F93LNJ1yr1Y
Complicated issue. Changes like this are irreversible. Children don’t always have the right mindset to understand this. People should be comfortable and accept who they are. In rare cases with proper evaluation and psychiatric evaluation they might get treated, preferably after the age of 16
Yes but require counsilijg first to ensure they are certain
@9F8H2Y41yr1Y
Yes but only if it is medically safe to do so, they have shown they are mature enough to make the decision and are receiving counseling and support.
Yes, but with extensive information provided to them, psychological assessments, etc.
@9F8CR2R1yr1Y
only if the individual is atleast 16 years old and has had the unwavering decision to do so for a extended period of time and is assessed by a therapist first
No, I don't believe that religious/ conversion therapy is either appropriate or effective and is damaging to people.
Every person in society should be able to access non- religious counseling to assist them to make informed choices across the board.
@9F7Z43R1yr1Y
Yes but with intensive counciling, support from medical staff and parental consent.
Yes, people can decide what they want with their lives, if they want to change they can there still human
@9F7JKF51yr1Y
Yes with the support/guidance of a mental health professional
@9F7DDXF1yr1Y
no, you should be over 18 because you need to think things through
Absolutely, however once received the correct transitioning therapy before undergoing change.
It's complicated. Nonsurgical procedures can still have lasting impacts. Should be treated the same as any other life altering medical decisions
@9F6KS9X1yr1Y
Yes but only after being seen by multiple doctors
Yes, but as long as it is safe and not going to disrupt the natural growth and development of the human body
@9F6C42Z1yr1Y
Yes, as long as the child understands it’s irreversible and has counselling to ensure this
@9F4XX8J1yr1Y
I think that they should be able but that they should have to have some kind of checks or like see a physiologist beforehand because once it is done it can not be reverse so if someone does it in like a stage of their life where they aren't well mentally then perhaps they should wait
Yes but only if they are at least 16 years old with parental consent
Yes, as long as it is the recommendation of a qualified medical practitioner.
@9DZ88TR1yr1Y
Yes, but only if it can be confirmed by a qualified psychiatrist as the right thing to do on a case by case basis
@9DY4XFY1yr1Y
Yes. But only if there is strong physical evidence of legitimate inter sex issues
@9DWZNQM 1yr1Y
Yes, therapy, puberty blockers and other reversible treatments for any age. 16 and above should be able to pursue non surgical options such as hormone therapy
Its dependent on the type of treatment. Large scale surgeries should be held off until 18 but reversible treatments should be made available to those underage.
Teens should be able to have a conversation with a non-biased gender identity expert on the process, the pros and cons, and their mental health attributed to gender affirming surgery
@9DSZF561yr1Y
Only if the person is over 16 and has gone through therapy and has extensions knowledge on how the treatment will affect them so they know it's the right decision for them.
@9DRZJZJ1yr1Y
Depends on the individual. More education is needed on all sides on the matter.
At least 16 and only non Surgical
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