To think a child wanting to transition should be dealt as a mental health matter?

Unfortunately most therapists/psychiatrists/counsellors are captured by the ideology, seeking psychiatric help would probably just lead to professionals affirming their identity thus enabling them

But wouldn't it be better for their physical health if they could find a way to be comfortable with their bodies without having to make changes that are detrimental to the way their body functions?

How is this different to saying that people with anorexia are happier when they can control their weight? Surely self-acceptance as we actually are is what we need to aim for?

Puberty blockers do not, in reality, buy time. It has been widely reported in different countries that nearly all those children on puberty blockers go on to take cross sex hormones. In light of this, it is harmful misinformation to state that they 'buy time'.

They also cause issues such as bone density issues, they have been found to cause calcification of the testicles that permanently damage testicles, and there is evidence of loss of memory and IQ point have lowered when on these drugs as a child.

It's a difficult one. I think in the (relatively rare) case that an under 18 wants medical intervention, puberty blockers are a good solution that buys time and I don't invite went people seem to complain that most people who use them go on to transition; maybe that suggests they're being prescribed to the right people (in England it was barely 100 young people in the whole country pre temp ban coming in).

I am trans supportive, have a non binary child and other close young trans family member, but I recognise there is a risk, with the first generation to see so much through the lens of gender, that a child or young person experiencing a mental health crisis could see transition as some sort of answer to their problems. But there's no evidence that medical professionals are handing out transitions easily, quite the opposite.

I think one should - sensitively - probe feelings while allowing the child to be affirmed in the gender identity they want, and all that means is social transition There's some idea that gender affirming means offering medical intervention straight away or something, which is totally untrue.

I know quite a few trans kids and about 25% of them so far have detransitioned after 1-3 years while having had supportive family and friends who affirmed them. None of the trans kids I know have had medical intervention or are showing signs of wanting it with most of them now in their late teens and having identified as trans for at least 3 years.

This is exactly the most sane response in 99.9999% of cases.

How on earth have we got to this stage where kids are validated by grown adults and even educators to think they’re foxes and badgers or the opposite sex or no sex! Madness.

I think many would agree with you because of experience with adolescents with mental health issues, comorbidities and hyperfixations. When previously detransitioners were barely heard of, there are now so many coming out of woodwork wishing their mental health issues were dealt with first.

It will also depend on CAMHS professionals and their beliefs.

Some will send application to gender clinic behind parents' back even if the adolescent is under 16 and is presenting multiple issues, some will take slower approach.

They may think they've "transitioned", but they haven't changed sex.
You know dozens?

You know one person it didn’t work
out for . I know dozens who are so much happier after transition.

That’s exactly what happens. You get referrer to Camhs. Who then refer you to Tavistock of they think it’s needed. Then you wait for years. And then you are assessed and then possibly you get hormones. It’s not like you just nip to the gp!

I would like to see how the younger end of this are exposed to the ideology.

While I think plenty of assessments should be done before any transitions begin to take place, if at all, I do believe that it's unfortunate that the genuine cases have to wait until they are "of age" before they can start taking any kind of hormones, you know, after they've already started going through puberty? It's going to make it a lot more difficult for them to present as passing with the opposite genders hormones already in their body.

At the same time, I also think the vast majority of people who believe themselves to be transgender have other underlying problems and mental health issues and that "trans" is just an easy out.

They aren’t transitioning to anything though, they are still the same sex, maybe with some physical attributes of the opposite sex. Telling a child that they can is a lie.

I know an adult who ‘transitioned’ and discovered that despite the surgery and drugs, wasn’t a woman. Mutilated their body for a lie.

Am I in the minority opinion here ?

No. You are definitely not in the minority here.

YANBU - I think this is actually the opinion the vast majority of people have they're just too scared to say so, especially online.

Completely agree. It used to be in the medical books I believe as mental health issue until all the doo gooders got involved.

instead of letting people chop up their bodies to match their minds why do t we try and match their minds to their bodies!

You're perfectly entitled to your opinion - thank you for sharing.

I'm aware of who the poster was. I don't agree with people who advocate for the abuse of vulnerable children and apparently that's disgusting. Sure.

Agree re waiting till adulthood for irreversible medical or hormonal interventions.
But getting the trick cyclists in is a tad extreme! It gives a child a clear message that there is something wrong with them when actually they are exploring their feelings, and need time and a safe place to do this. And home - with their parents - is the best place to do that.

I'm aware "the poster" misread the op and saw what they were expecting to rather than what is there.

That's prejudice and bias works. They make it harder to look at situations and people objectively and see them for what they are.

The poster is you. Own your hatred. It's disgusting.

No I don’t think so. In many cases such a relaxed and straightforward approach would help.

One big difference is that when you were a child your mum was probably the most significant influence on your behaviour and actions. Today parents are competing with the internet and social media influence, among others.

I'm the parent of a trans-woman who transitioned in her 20s. Part of the protocol was seeing a WPATH psychiatrist. She also worked with her psychologist who specialises in gender and sexuality. She's decided against surgery but is on hormones. It would have been impossible to find an endo to prescribe without the mental health support where we live.

I'd want at least as much intervention and assessment before my minor child had hormones.

Of course it is. Nobody was born in the wrong body.

Are we taking it too seriously? I'm fairly sure if I had told my mum I wanted to be a boy I'd have got told 'that's nice' and life would have carried on. I doubt there would have been concerns for my mental health .

Surely it's better to let kids express themselves and then make their own choices as adults.

Or am I being naive?

I consider trans identity in children to be a proof of a huge failure of the society. It means they consider their interpretation of what the society shows them as "men" and "women" unbearable.

So I 'd fully support the opt out from gender norms and expectations and the de-coupling of the concepts of sex, gender and gender identity.
And I would be very angry if anyone in a position of authority suggested anything about transitioning.