So does anyone on GAF actually tell minors who may have gender dysphoria not to pursue it? I've been doing quite a lot of reading about it lately and it seems like minors (ie, below 18) who start thinking about this generally turn out to be unhappy (adults are more varied). Take this video for instance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=17bYnrbrI20#!
She's tried to kill herself twice, she has no family and no friends, and has worked as a prostitute. And the kicker? She thinks the whole thing was a massive mistake and wants to turn back into a man.
It seems like people who are so young and underdeveloped should never be making such life-changing decisions. I don't know how old you all are, but at 24 I don't agree with almost any of the views of myself I had at 16. A 16 year old thinks they know everything and have their feelings and perspectives in check and they never do. Why should they be making such a decision? And frankly, why should GAF be cheering them on without a word of warning?
Just because transition was for you and worked for you doesn't mean anyone who's young and feels like they should transition actually should do that. That's insane. The "treatment" for gender dysphoria is a lifetime of hormones, surgery, and often extreme emotional damage. Some come out of it happy and free. I applaud them. But quite a few are miserable and full of regret.
I think it's rather sickening how everyone in this thread just pats all the younger members on the back and tells them how great it is. It can be great - I will never deny that. However, the way transitioning is portrayed on GAF...it's like it's some hero's journey to a mythical land of happiness. That's not what transitioning is like for a lot of people.
TLDR: I fully support GAF encouraging adults to transition. I think when a minor professes an interest in this GAF should redirect them to a place where they can get counseling and then leave the minor alone. A 16 year old shouldn't be making this choice and they certainly don't need a success story breathing down their neck telling them how great it is as if it's a guarantee.
Note: I'm sure a lot of you don't see yourselves as doing this. Take it from someone coming in here with an outside perspective: it's exactly what it looks like (and looks are all that matter in this case).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=17bYnrbrI20#!
She's tried to kill herself twice, she has no family and no friends, and has worked as a prostitute. And the kicker? She thinks the whole thing was a massive mistake and wants to turn back into a man.
It seems like people who are so young and underdeveloped should never be making such life-changing decisions. I don't know how old you all are, but at 24 I don't agree with almost any of the views of myself I had at 16. A 16 year old thinks they know everything and have their feelings and perspectives in check and they never do. Why should they be making such a decision? And frankly, why should GAF be cheering them on without a word of warning?
Just because transition was for you and worked for you doesn't mean anyone who's young and feels like they should transition actually should do that. That's insane. The "treatment" for gender dysphoria is a lifetime of hormones, surgery, and often extreme emotional damage. Some come out of it happy and free. I applaud them. But quite a few are miserable and full of regret.
I think it's rather sickening how everyone in this thread just pats all the younger members on the back and tells them how great it is. It can be great - I will never deny that. However, the way transitioning is portrayed on GAF...it's like it's some hero's journey to a mythical land of happiness. That's not what transitioning is like for a lot of people.
TLDR: I fully support GAF encouraging adults to transition. I think when a minor professes an interest in this GAF should redirect them to a place where they can get counseling and then leave the minor alone. A 16 year old shouldn't be making this choice and they certainly don't need a success story breathing down their neck telling them how great it is as if it's a guarantee.
Note: I'm sure a lot of you don't see yourselves as doing this. Take it from someone coming in here with an outside perspective: it's exactly what it looks like (and looks are all that matter in this case).