Should children be allowed to medically transition their gender?

Elliot (No)

Children cannot consent to sexual acts performed on them by an adult—whether that sexual act involves molestation or the mutilation of their genitals. Both molestation and genital mutilation involve the child's sexuality, to which children do not have the mental capacity to understand what sex is or how medically and permanently altering their genitals will affect their future. 

Arguably, permanent sex change operations and hormone treatments have a more significant long-term effect on a child than teen pregnancy. Many children tragically end up regretting their decisions to 'transition,' referring to themselves as 'detransitioners,' who have been decried by trans activists and even ignored by a political party working to indoctrinate children in gender ideology, thus sexualizing children. Detransitioners have sued clinics for performing the procedure without obtaining their consent as teens. Some have even committed suicide, with recent studies reporting a suicide rate as high as 50% among transgender people. Yet, gender-identity propaganda online, in media and entertainment, at schools, and even from Biden’s White House is cultural grooming that will lead impressionable children down a painful, irreparable path.

An adolescent's brain is undeveloped, making them impressionable and susceptible to bad decisions. Minors are not legally permitted to get tattoos, yet can get permanent mastectomies and penectomies. This is child abuse masquerading as science. Medicine should 'do no harm,' but increasingly, practitioners push minors toward these expensive procedures, sometimes without parental knowledge. Given the massive money-making nature of the pharmaceutical industry, medical incentives to 'help' have succumbed to greed and outside funding interests. Accepting “child transgenderism” is wrong, and adults are responsible for protecting children—not “affirming” them into high-risk and irreversible medical procedures. 

Rob (Yes)

Denying children access to medical transitioning treatments violates their fundamental human rights. It's a personal decision that everyone has the right to make, according to the law—and this even includes minors. Because of the high importance of persevering the right and freedoms for all—not just those we agree with—we need to continue making the process more accessible, provided the children are adequately informed about what they're getting into as well as the potential long-term ramifications of these procedures. 

Like in adults, gender dysphoria can lead to stress, anxiety, and a heightened risk of suicide among children. Allowing and helping them do what they want with their bodies can help them feel less stressed and more optimistic about life. Contrary to popular belief, studies have found that children who transition do not show increased depression, and doctors agree these gender-affirming medical treatments are ‘life saving.’ Gender identity is an important aspect of a person's sense of self. So denying a child the opportunity to transition medically can cause long-lasting adverse effects on their emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Allowing them to transition earlier in life also helps make the process easier and more effective for them since some physical changes become irreversible after puberty.

Everyone wants to have control over their lives, and allowing children to make meaningful choices about their bodies not only gives them that control but also promotes independence and a sense of responsibility. The best option is to give the children the ultimate say over what they want for their bodies.