RE: Right-Wing Websites Are Distorting Scientific Data to Attack Trans People ⚧
More recently, my experience is quite the opposite. I see secularism more and more being pushed upon people, against our natural instincts to observe differences between male and female, to have children, and to protect them and teach them as they grow into adults.
I think you are describing mainstream media more than anything else, and how things are changing as they always do.
I also think it's common for each generation to be put off by the following generation and I feel the same discomfort you do. Having said that, I agree with keeping religion out of Government = Secularism.
Because I have a strong interest in human development both as a mother and as a professional, I've grown sick of watching recent developments on this topic so no, I did not watch the video until you challenged me. I can't claim to be unbiased at this point, but I find the arguments for this usage of these drugs to be disingenuous and not well thought out.
I think it is also must be decided on a case-by-case basis.
In many cases, giving this drug to a child would be a bad decision but I think there are some cases where it would help.
And IMO the struggle is not in determining if this drug is good or bad to give to a non-adult, but when is it good or bad to permit a non-adult to take this drug.
To delay puberty until the child is old enough to make an informed decision? And how is this child-adult, who did not experience puberty alongside his peers, supposed to inform his decision? What is the lived experience of a teen who, instead of facing the trials and tribulations of growing up with the support of trusted adults who have been there, was given drugs by those who should have been in the position of trusted advisor, with the illusion that everyone could just wait and see what kind of adulthood the young person would choose?
Have you ever met an adult transgender who was male and despises the fact that they already experienced puberty?
I may never go fully Christian as I'm not interested in anyone who expects dogma to go unquestioned. But I keep being surprised again and again how the morals which I once thought dusty and overly restrictive, really did serve a purpose in guiding people who might need a generation or two to realize the negative consequences of their actions.
You seem to feel as though you discovered some wisdom.. if that's the case, I'd be happy to listen (read) and discuss it with you.
No. I have met many people who despise things about themselves, and about their past. It is never healthy to indulge in this kind of destructive thinking. Accepting what is, and working to be the best version of oneself each and every day is far more likely to lead to constructive relationships and positive outcomes. Research (not about trans people, but about other hardships such as trauma or disability) supports this, personal experience supports this, and so does ancient wisdom. Life can be hard; this idea that putting off the onset of a natural life change will make a hard life easier is ludicrous.
Lest I seem to be dismissing the experience of transgender people, I'm not - I just don't know any. I've known people with cancer. I've known people who lost a child in a car accident. I've known people raising a child with severe brain damage, after he drowned in their pool. I once worked with a young woman who was quadriplegic. I bet they all wished something had gone differently in their past. Then they got up, put their pants on (or had someone put them on, in the quadriplegic girl's case,) and lived their lives in the best way they could. Given the risk of altering the puberty of a bunch of confused kids who might not become trans versus the reward of possibly making transition easier for the few that actually do, I would always err on the side of "first, do no harm."
I'm sick with a head cold at the moment so I doubt I could turn out any more rational thoughts - but I'll take you up on that discussion sometime in the future.
I highly recommend you comment on things that you actually have experience with.
The fact that you don't even have a close relationship with even a single transgender, much less have experience with teenagers who consider themselves transgenders tells me there is a good chance you are judging things from the perspective of someone who "doesn't know any" transgenders and not from the perspective of being a transgender teen or the mother of a teen that considers themselves transgender.
I am not fully discrediting your perspective but my perspective changed A LOT after meeting and becoming good friends with transgenders who are fairly happy as they are = they're transgender.
That's why I'm refraining from voicing my opinion on whether or not it's a good idea to alter one's body at all - it doesn't apply here, and no one is asking me.
I am judging from the perspective of a therapist with quite a lot of experience in childhood interventions of all types. Unlike the speakers in this video, who feel obliged to state that they aren't doctors and don't really know what risks might be introduced with this intervention, I am not commenting on something about which I have no experience. There are risks, not just from altering the endocrine system of a body, but also from failing to respect how a person's values, interests, and needs change immensely through the lifespan.
My perspective changed a lot after seeing how difficult it is for so many parents to set boundaries, and to face momentary discomfort for something that's far better in the long run. They want their child to be less anxious, but they don't set aside time for the earlier bedtime routine and the physical exercises we show them. They really want their autistic child to learn to talk, but turning off YouTube to do the sometimes tedious work of connecting with that child on his level is uncomfortable for everyone, so on it goes. They'll turn to pharmaceuticals for help, and sometimes it will help. Their doctors will be quite willing to prescribe them, since doctors don't really know how to advise people on the day to day work of living.
What I'm saying is I've seen our systems fail kids again and again, and I see this as no different. When school days got longer and recess got shorter and everyone got their own screens suddenly everyone had ADHD, and there's a pill for that. Then they put girls in boy scouts, made most male role models coed, started calling masculinity toxic and told girls we really only have value if we pursue careers instead of motherhood. Now more people are becoming trans and what do ya know - there's a pill for that too.
My deep and abiding mistrust here isn't about trans people, it's about altering development through medical intervention when so much can be done to support one another without invasive treatments.
I can think of two analogies to help us understand one another. Cochlear implants are an invasive medical intervention that even I would argue should be done when a child is young so they might grow up being able to hear. I don't see making a child trans in that light, but I could try to see how your friends might see it that way. So here's the other: what if Christian families started giving a hormonal treatment to their children, which made them more likely to have a transcendental experience and to believe in God? Maybe it would be part of a confirmation ceremony, so only if the child "chooses" it, of course. Would you support that? Personally, I would not. Even if there seemed to be no adverse effects, and if I believed they'd have happier lives by this medical conversion to Christianity, I would consider this wrong. That's just not how any of this works.
Thank you @wholeself-in I am interested in your perspective since I am a parent 😊
My deep and abiding mistrust here isn't about trans people, it's about altering development through medical intervention when so much can be done to support one another without invasive treatments.
Thank you, thank you @wholeself-in I have seen a lot of this too. I think I actually had a semi-hard time growing up in a society where male and female roles were not clearly defined.
I think there are some males that belong as males acting less masculine than they'd otherwise benefit from and visa-versa for females.
Nice example @wholeself-in. I see your point but at the same time, I wouldn't want the Government making it illegal for parents to decide what's best for their children (I don't want the Government to have that much power) but at the same time, I also understand that many parents might end up doing the wrong thing.
All in all, excellent insight @wholeself-in I upvoted your comment with 100% voting strength
On that, I can agree 100%!!
Uhm, Puttin it down!! :applause: That’s the sound of the audience on their feet.
I’m came by here to say hello and maybe introduce myself a little bit better. I straightened up my hair, made sure there wasn’t anything in my teeth and everything. I was all freshened up, put on a clean sweater, so I could stop by and say “nice to be met!”
Well, the surprise is on me because I just read an eye opening response that really captured my attention—thank you. Something nice to be something met or something. Enjoy your Sunday @wholeself-in. “It’s nice to be met.”
Nice to meet you too! I came across your page through a resteem by summertooth. I liked what I read, so you got a sneaky follow.
Thanks for getting all cleaned up and everything. I'm having a lazy Sunday morning as I still have a cold. Guess I'd better go take a shower, ya never know who you're gonna meet.