Have you ever broached the subject…

[smallstitch]

With a friend whose teenager is “trans”? Or is that one of those situations where you just nod and smile and say nothing?
It’s not a close friend as they live a long way from me but I’ve known her many years. It’s clear she’s totally captured, and I’m genuinely worried about her teen who is going down that road but ultimately it’s none of my business.
Would you say anything/send them links to anything (risk of hormones/surgery etc) or just sit back and watch it unfold?

With one friend, who already knew my views and who is pretty level headed/worried about the child, who is autistic and vulnerable. The child hasn’t done anything at all extreme, is just gender non confirming.

To be honest, whilst with a primary aged child I would probably assume the parents were ‘on board’ with the child, so to speak, with a teenager I would not assume that, I would think it was just as likely the child had outside influences and the parents were extremely worried.

I would only do it in person. And I would just say something pretty neutral such as ‘that must be extremely difficult’ and see which way the conversation went. If it turned out to be ‘the NHS should prescribe hormones earlier’ I would express a gently dissenting view and then change the subject.

I have to say I find it quite surprising that she’s on board with it given her previous views on various subjects, but we haven’t discussed in depth.

I’ve noticed previously (patronising term but true) ‘sensible’ people become completely unmoored from reality when one of their children, or other children in their extended family start on this cobblers. I think it’s the pressure they feel they’re under to go along with it - even as they (and everyone else on Earth) knows it’s a load of old shite. I feel sorry for them

I think parents in that situation have it hard enough without being given unsolicited advice from people who have never had to deal with the issue.

Your comments won't be well received and it's unlikely that you really understand the full situation given that you live far away and (presumably) aren't in the sane boat with one of your own children.

I think it's easy to think you will act one way in a situation but then find the reality of it very different when it happens to you.

Yes, I get that.