Arrr, me hearties! This group of pediatricians be claimin’ that them 'gender-affirming' treatments be doin' harm to the wee ones, with consequences ye can't change!
2024-02-08
Avast, ye scurvy dogs! A group of landlubber pediatricians be claimin' that these fancy "gender-affirming" treatments be of no use to young buccaneers with the condition of cross-gender woes. Har, what be their next claim? That a bottle o' rum cures all ailments?
The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) released a position statement stating that "gender-affirming" therapies have not been proven to benefit adolescents with gender dysphoria. The statement claims that social transition, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical interventions have no long-term benefit on the psychosocial well-being of these adolescents. The ACPeds reviewed 60 research papers that focused on the mental health of adolescents with gender dysphoria and found no evidence of benefits from these therapies. The statement was voted on and passed by the ACPeds board and members.According to ACPeds, adolescents with gender dysphoria often have existing mental health illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. They also noted that over half of LGBTQ+ sexual minority individuals experience adverse childhood experiences, including child abuse, with transgender youth reporting the highest levels of abuse and neglect.
The review conducted by ACPeds also found that puberty-blocking drugs did not have significant benefits for youths with gender dysphoria. Cross-sex hormonal interventions were shown to have little mental health benefit and were even linked to a higher need for psychiatric care. The review also discovered that many teens who pursue gender-affirming therapy ultimately revert to their biological gender.
While the American Medical Association (AMA) supports gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, ACPeds and other medical experts believe that a more conservative approach, involving intense psychiatric interventions, should be adopted before any gender-altering therapeutic. They argue that adolescents have immature brains and should not be allowed to make decisions with lifelong implications at such a young age. Additionally, they emphasize the potential long-term physical and psychological consequences of these therapies and surgeries.
The debate over gender-affirming care is not just a medical issue but also a political and ideological one. Medical professionals urge a cautious and holistic approach that prioritizes the well-being and welfare of the child or teen with gender dysphoria.