Teenage surgery without parent's consent

[I_am_not_mafia]

If they want and can qualify/complete the emancipation process (which includes financial self support) then take that route. Then the minor can have any surgery they can afford. Until that time or the age of majority my position would be no. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_of_minors

The mother is fighting the daughter's emancipation even though the daughter is not emancipated and doesn't need to be either.

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/m...nt-n685266

The lawsuit's references to emancipation also struck OutFront's Duran as confusing—especially because the state law does not employ the term at all. Instead, it simply allows for minors who are living on their own to make their own medical decisions.

"There's no evidence that this kid is legally emancipated," Duran said. "It's a head scratcher as to what [Calgaro] expects the court to do to reverse a decision that was never made."

Also the whole focus seems to be on the surgery but there is little reason to think that the minor is going to get surgery yet anyway. She's going to turn 18 next July so it's even more puzzling what the mother is trying to achieve. It looks like she's just being vindictive and causing trouble.

At 17 years old, a trans girl is at best going to get access to counseling and hormones," Duran said. "There's reference in the press release to a surgery or operation. It would be incredibly unlikely—vanishingly unlikely—that a minor would get access to surgery."

[Aegon]

At first, I thought the topic would be about surgeries in general. I have tarsal coalition, and when I was 14 I was offered a surgery to separate the tarsal bones. It was causing me a great deal of pain, so I really wanted to do it. Since I was a minor, it was my parents' say, and they thought the risks outweighed the benefits (it was an intensive surgery, to be fair.) My feet still give me constant pain to this day, and although I can manage it better than I used to, I'm still upset that my parents stopped me from at least trying to fix it. The surgery is no longer on the table now that my feet are fully grown.

But for sex reassignment surgery? I don't think so. That's a monumental step to take for something that they can't be sure is something they truly want, with no literal medical benefits.

That's a rough thing to deal with. I'm sorry. 

Thanks. It's not as bad as it was, I've really gotten used to it. It used to be constant aching pain, but now it's more of a stiff, arthritis feeling. You should hear how much I can crack my bones when I first move my feet around in the morning! My exes always hated it, it grossed them out.   The problem now is less the pain in the foot, but the effects that it has had on my other joints and lower back. To minimize the pain, I walk sort of weirdly...like a duck lol. It's not obvious at first, but if I pointed it out you'd notice. And now that's catching up with me.

[Catholic_Lady]

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.

Any reason you didn't provide all the details and just referred to them as a minor and let people assume that they were much younger and still the responsibility of the parent?

Because it was meant to be a general question in regards to the principle at hand rather than about this specific case in particular. I mentioned it to show that it is a question that is applicable and already being asked. Also, the article I saw about this which was posted on my facebook feed was from a biased source which I'm sure people here probably wouldn't have appreciated.

[vorlon13]

See, the laws most likely are just going to put in a number for the age. Imposing a test of some kind to evaluate the young person for maturity, sagacity, probity, wisdom isn't really feasible (IMO).

Has there ever been a state that issued drivers licenses subject to a test of maturity ?

I think it has been changed, but when I was much younger, permits were available to rural kids at an earlier age if they could demonstrate they needed one, not that they were capable of using an early permit responsibly. Same for when the drinking age was lowered to 18. It was 18 without restrictions. I should have been screened out, but I wasn't LOL !!!

I turned 18 while living in a dorm in college, within days, I was being nominated for 'house awards' for doing crazy shit while drunk. That's one of those things called a 'clue' and I totally missed it.

For 10 more years . . .

[Catholic_Lady]

That's a rough thing to deal with. I'm sorry. 

Thanks. It's not as bad as it was, I've really gotten used to it. It used to be constant aching pain, but now it's more of a stiff, arthritis feeling. You should hear how much I can crack my bones when I first move my feet around in the morning! My exes always hated it, it grossed them out.   The problem now is less the pain in the foot, but the effects that it has had on my other joints and lower back. To minimize the pain, I walk sort of weirdly...like a duck lol. It's not obvious at first, but if I pointed it out you'd notice. And now that's catching up with me.

Is it RA? (if you don't mind me asking, I have a friend with RA)

[Aegon]

Thanks. It's not as bad as it was, I've really gotten used to it. It used to be constant aching pain, but now it's more of a stiff, arthritis feeling. You should hear how much I can crack my bones when I first move my feet around in the morning! My exes always hated it, it grossed them out.   The problem now is less the pain in the foot, but the effects that it has had on my other joints and lower back. To minimize the pain, I walk sort of weirdly...like a duck lol. It's not obvious at first, but if I pointed it out you'd notice. And now that's catching up with me.

Is it RA? (if you don't mind me asking, I have a friend with RA)

I'm not sure if it would officially be called that. I don't know anything about rheumatoid arthritis, but I think what I'm feeling is entirely related to the connection of the tarsal bones and not anything autoimmune...although I do have a weak immune system because of my kidneys...oh shit, I should stop there. I have too many health problems   I haven't seen a doc about my feet in a long while. I think I'm due for an appointment soon to see what I should be doing about that.

Now y'all know why I smoke so much

[Regina]

For sex reassignment I think it has to be a case-by-case basis. If a child has been expressing wishes of changing their gender/sex for sexeral years, that's not a "phase" and they're probably sure of what they want.

Generally though I'd still advise against it, just put the kid on hormone blockers to delay puberty and wait until they're a bit older.

For other surgeries, depends. I understand letting kids have surgery for facial reconstruction, things like getting severe blemishes and disfigurements worked on. If we're talking breast or butt implants or getting a slightly/borderline crooked nose or jaw fixed then no, they can wait.

[vorlon13]

It has been noted on Botched that even females wanting breast implants at 14, or 15 or 16 is not done, or at least it's not done by surgeons with ethics.

Why would it then be ethical to give a male, age 16 breast implants ?

(I think I might know, but want to see if it's 'obvious' or not)

[brewer]

OK, now that I've read the article it appears that the person qualifies as an adult in that state and that they have the support of the medical community. If they meet the WPATH criteria they should be allowed to proceed.

[Silver]

At what point do you stop being a minor?

It is different for everyone, though I believe it should be around the age of sixteen.