Jayla Harris

English 112

February 21, 2016

Argumentative Research Essay

Should children dealing with gender identity transition at young ages?

A second grader in Los Angeles who was born a girl announced at 18 months, I a boy

(Press). Ever since then, she has stuck with that belief (Press). Her family now refers to her as a

boy and she is undergoing treatment to change her sex from female to male (Press). These

treatments include surgical procedures as well as hormonal supplements. As young children,

many decisions were made for us. The clothes we wore, the food we ate, and the time we woke

up are just a few examples of the many things that we really did not control. In todays society,

an increasing number of children are struggling with gender identity and their sexual orientation

at young ages. Some people may say these children are young and confused, while others believe

that they are not and should be able to change their sex. An increasing number of parents are

saying that their children should have rights to change their sex as early as the age of 4 years old

(Press). This is an issue that raises ethical questions. Is this safe? Are children cognitively

developed enough to decide what gender they want to be? If children are not given the

responsibilities of making simple daily decisions, then how can they be given the choice of

changing their gender? How can a second grader decide she wants to change her sex only at the

tender age of 8 years old? This is a choice that is often irreversible and very life changing. While

some think that children should be able to make sex transitions as young as the age of 4, I say

that young children should not be able to undergo procedures and treatments to change their sex
due to the fact that they are unable to make rational decisions and gender transformation can alter

their physical and mental health states.

Changing sex at an early age affects ones physical health greatly. A number of people

suggest that allowing gender transitions at an early age will prevent children from hurting

themselves from trying to change their appearance. The doctors who do provide treatment to

children who want to change their gender say that it is more dangerous to withhold treatment

(Press). This is because children sometimes resort to self-mutilation to try to change their

anatomy (Press). Permitting early on treatment for transitioning will prevent children from

harming themselves. Some may try to hide or disguise body parts. With treatment, this will not

have to be done. It will be beneficial if children start their transition early. Kids will more

easily pass as the opposite gender, and require less drastic treatment later, if drug treatment starts

early (Press). If kids start their treatment process earlier, they will have to go through less

treatment later in life. This will be beneficial tremendously by making these children feel

comfortable in their bodies.While there are many reasons as to why transitioning early is good

for physical health, some argue that there are more negative physical health effects that come

along with transitioning young. One thing that they will struggle with is finding proper health

care. Not all healthcare providers know how to treat transgender patients and their specific needs

and insurance companies do not cover transgender services (Medicine). This will make it very

difficult for them to receive needed health services which can cause their health to deteriorate. In

order to change sex, a person uses hormone supplements. The use of hormones, such as estrogen

and testosterone, is very risky (Medicine). Testosterone can damage the liver, especially if taken

in high doses or by mouth. Estrogen can increase blood pressure, blood glucose (sugar), and

blood clotting. Anti-androgens, such as spironolactone, can lower blood pressure, disturb
electrolytes, and dehydrate the body(Medicine). Children should avoid these health conditions

by not taking hormones or transitioning too early. The healthy state of children should not be put

at risk to allow them to go through a sex change. These conditions will cause distractions to

school work, mental health problems, and many other problems. Another example why children

transitioning early can cause physical health complications is because transgenders are more

likely to use substances at higher rates (Medicine). According to a professor at Vanderbilt

University School of Medicine, Transgender persons use substances at higher rates compared

to others. Substances used include amphetamines including crystal meth, marijuana, ecstasy, and

cocaine. (Medicine). With this being said, children will be more likely to start using substances

that they should not have access to at a younger age. The usage of these substances can lead to

many different illnesses and diseases.

Transitioning has major impacts on mental health. Children should be able to transition

early because transitioning will allow them to become comfortable in their own skin and more

content with their life. Not allowing children to decide their gender causes them to encounter

both verbal and physical abuse (Press). This can lead to unneeded stress and even suicide in

some children. Children at school often tease others for minor things. Imagine being a child

struggling with not only your identity but also your gender. Bullying will take a toll on these

children. Allowing children to transition early will make them more satisfied with themselves

mentally. On the other hand, children who do become transgendered at young ages will face

mental and emotional health obstacles early in life. It has become common today to dismiss how

deeply affected the mental health of children is.

Transgender people are more vulnerable to symptoms of depression and anxiety, which is

at least in part attributable to the social stress they experience as members of a gender
 minority population. Transgender people may also face challenges related to the need to

affirm gender identity and the social and physical changes this may require (Psychology)

We should not put children through such a depressing and mentally draining process that is not

necessary. Transitioning is not something that happens overnight. It is a long process.

Throughout this process, children will face mental challenges from adjusting to their new body

features as well as from side effects from medications they might be prescribed.

Lastly, young children are not cognitively developed enough to make the decision of

changing their sex. A persons brain, specifically the frontal lobe, does not fully develop until

they reach their mid-twenties (Kuchinskas). With this being said, a child should not be given the

task of choosing to make a sex transition. It is okay for a child to struggle with gender identity,

Sometimes, it can just be a phase. When I was a young child, I used to think that I was a boy due

to the simple fact that everyone called me a tomboy. This was a phase that I went through. Many

children go through phases like this causing them to believe that they would like to change their

sex. Transitioning is often irreversible and if a child is not fully aware and sure of their decision,

they will possibly regret it in the future.

Young children are not suited to make the life changing decision of changing their sex.

How can we give them this huge choice when they are not given the responsibility to make

simple daily decisions? It is possible that one day the second grader in Los Angeles who is

undergoing treatment will regret making the transition. Changing a childs sex can cause them to

face physical and mental health problems that outweigh the positives of making this change.

Although transitioning at such a young age may seem of concern to only a small group of

children struggling with their gender or sexuality,it should in fact concern anyone who cares

about the overall welfare and development of these children wishing to transition.Ultimately,
 what is at stake is lifelong medical issues due to the various treatments and procedures that

accompany transitioning and giving children the power to make this irreversible decision.

Works Cited

Kuchinskas, Susan. "What's Going on Inside Your Teen's Head?" WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 08 Mar.

2017.

Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of. "Program for LGBTI Health." Key Transgender Health

Concerns | Program for LGBTI Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.

Press, The Associated. "Sex Change Treatment for Kids on the Rise." NY Daily News. N.p., 20 Feb.

2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.

"Psychology of Transgender." Pardon Our Interruption. American Psychological Association, n.d. Web.

22 Feb. 2017.