A lot of the arguments here are saying that surgery would be ok with parental consent. I disagree. My view is that surgery should be delayed until adulthood in all cases, parental consent or not, although reversible hormone therapy should be available, subject to assessments, with or without consent.



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(November 22, 2016 at 1:53 pm)Chad32 Wrote:

(November 22, 2016 at 10:48 am)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Should minors be allowed to get sex reassignment surgery without their parent's consent? 

Apparently this is happening in Minnesota with a teen who wants to transition into a woman and the mom is saying no. Was curious to know yall's opinions on the legal side of things.

If someone identifies as a gender that doesn't match their private parts, should refusing them and forcing them to conform count as child abuse? That's probably the biggest question to answer.

The thing is though, the surgery is extreme and irreversible. We're talking about a physical male getting his penis and scrotum cut off, getting breast implants, and changing the bone structures of the face to make them look more feminine. And for a physical woman, it's just as drastic. There are people out there who do regret getting it. I can completely understand a parent saying "no" to their teenager and just letting him/her wait until they are an adult and more mature to make such a drastic, irreversible, life changing decision.

(November 23, 2016 at 9:52 am)Catholic_Lady Wrote:

(November 22, 2016 at 1:53 pm)Chad32 Wrote: If someone identifies as a gender that doesn't match their private parts, should refusing them and forcing them to conform count as child abuse? That's probably the biggest question to answer.

The thing is though, the surgery is extreme and irreversible. We're talking about a physical male getting his penis and scrotum cut off, getting breast implants, and changing the bone structures of the face to make them look more feminine. And for a physical woman, it's just as drastic. There are people out there who do regret getting it. I can completely understand a parent saying "no" to their teenager and just letting him/her wait until they are an adult and more mature to make such a drastic, irreversible, life changing decision.

Well, some of those details aren't exactly accurate. Implants are always optional. Hormones took care of that for me without that. Also, nothing is just cut off (other than an orchiectomy). The common procedure is a penile inversion. Other surgeries like facial reconstruction are also entirely optional and not always necessary.

Of course, none of that changes the point of your post. I just like to clear some things up sometimes. I always get a laugh when people ask me about things like breast implants and wigs, when that was never part of the deal for me.

I do not think this is a cut-and-dried thing. It depends on so much, the least of which is evaluation by a competent team of mental health professionals.

16 years of age is problematic for several reasons. In most states the age of majority is 18, suggesting that a 16 year old is still legally a minor. This would make it exceedingly difficult to contract for the surgery without parent or guardian consent. A parent is responsible for the custody and care of their dependent minors, which includes decisions regarding medical care. Circumventing parental consent for elective surgery, even if the actual surgery is funded by others, presents obvious issues.

Only with true legal and support emancipation would I support a reduction in the age of majority, in which case parental consent is a moot point.

(November 23, 2016 at 10:03 am)Jesster Wrote:

(November 23, 2016 at 9:52 am)Catholic_Lady Wrote: The thing is though, the surgery is extreme and irreversible. We're talking about a physical male getting his penis and scrotum cut off, getting breast implants, and changing the bone structures of the face to make them look more feminine. And for a physical woman, it's just as drastic. There are people out there who do regret getting it. I can completely understand a parent saying "no" to their teenager and just letting him/her wait until they are an adult and more mature to make such a drastic, irreversible, life changing decision.

Well, some of those details aren't exactly accurate. Implants are always optional. Hormones took care of that for me without that. Also, nothing is just cut off (other than an orchiectomy). The common procedure is a penile inversion. Other surgeries like facial reconstruction are also entirely optional and not always necessary.

Of course, none of that changes the point of your post. I just like to clear some things up sometimes. I always get a laugh when people ask me about things like breast implants and wigs, when that was never part of the deal for me.

But surely you can switch it around for peeing in the woods more easily, can't you?

(November 23, 2016 at 12:04 pm)Whateverist Wrote:

(November 23, 2016 at 10:03 am)Jesster Wrote: Well, some of those details aren't exactly accurate. Implants are always optional. Hormones took care of that for me without that. Also, nothing is just cut off (other than an orchiectomy). The common procedure is a penile inversion. Other surgeries like facial reconstruction are also entirely optional and not always necessary.

Of course, none of that changes the point of your post. I just like to clear some things up sometimes. I always get a laugh when people ask me about things like breast implants and wigs, when that was never part of the deal for me.

But surely you can switch it around for peeing in the woods more easily, can't you?

Peeing in the woods is icky, though 

(November 23, 2016 at 12:09 pm)Jesster Wrote:

(November 23, 2016 at 12:04 pm)Whateverist Wrote: But surely you can switch it around for peeing in the woods more easily, can't you?

Peeing in the woods is icky, though 

Nahh it's entirely natural. When I am out hiking naked in a wilderness I just stop, crouch and pee whenever I feel like it. I just need to shake my crotch a bit and the air quickly dries the rest.

Savages! Savages everywhere!

(November 23, 2016 at 12:13 pm)Mathilda Wrote:

(November 23, 2016 at 12:09 pm)Jesster Wrote: Peeing in the woods is icky, though 

Nahh it's entirely natural. When I am out hiking naked in a wilderness I just stop, crouch and pee whenever I feel like it. I just need to shake my crotch a bit and the air quickly dries the rest.

WAIT!
Pics or it didn't happen!