Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should transgender children medically transition?
Position‹2 of 2

No, transgender children and adolescents should not medically transition

This position holds that transgender children and adolescents should not medically transition. It argues the health risks are too great and some consequences irreversible, that young people are too young for such decisions, may not truly have gender dysphoria, and often change their minds.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. The child/adolescent may not actually have gender dysphoria
    Gender dysphoria and mental illnesses like depression and anxiety have overlaps in some of their symptoms. Additionally, prepubescent and pubescent minors may feel resistant to their assigned gender's gender roles for reasons other than gender dysphoria. Because these separate issues can be mislabeled as gender dysphoria by minors, minors who think that they may be transgender should not medically transition.
  2. The health risks of transitioning for children are too great
    We don't know enough yet about how puberty blockers and hormone treatments effect young bodies. It is too risky currently to allow trans children and adolescents to medically transition.
  3. Children and adolescents change their minds frequently
    Childhood and adolescence are stages in life where identity and desires are frequently changing. Children and adolescents thus should not make such a life-altering decision as medically transitioning.