What should the minimum age be to be allowed to have a sex change operation?

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   Stacie Lposted 8 years ago

   What should the minimum age be to be allowed to have a sex change operation?
   
   It's reported that many adults who are transgender or had the full sex change have wanted this since childhood. if they were allowed, should children be able to change their gender before age 18?

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2. 79

   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   You said: "if they were allowed, should children be able to change their gender before age 18?" This would suggest that they aren't allowed thus there must be an age requirement already in place.
   It's unlikely a minor would have the financial means to have sex change operation. Therefore their parents would have to give them permission as well as pay for their surgery. In most places in the U.S. a person under the age of 18 can't even purchase over the counter Sudafed in a  drugstore.
   I believe age 18 is about right. By then everyone should have figured out whether or not they were going through a phase, confused, feeling socially unaccepted by their own gender or truly identify themselves as being the opposite gender.
   If we say a child is not mature enough to make adult decisions such as giving consent to have sex it's probably safe to assume they aren't mature enough to consider the long-term consequences of having this surgery.

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   1. 88

      Stacie Lposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Children are able to have cosmetic surgery before 18 depending on the parent and doctors decision . Maybe the individual, case by case approach would be better.

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   2. 79

      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I assume those under age 18 have to get their parents permission. No 16 year old could arrange such a surgery behind their parent's back.

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3. 62

   Link10103posted 8 years ago

   You are considered a legal adult at 18 but can get tattoos, piercings, maybe botox, and cosmetic surgery before then if you have parental consent. I can understand the argument for allowing a sex change operation before legal age provided they have parental consent when you take those into account. I would only push the age back to 16 though.
   
   However, I personally would say not to go ahead with it until at least age 18, at most 21. Its a pretty drastic change, at the very least by age 21 one is going to know if they really want to go through with or not.

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      Stacie Lposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe that's a good idea, but what about letting a boy dress as a girl and vice versa before that age?

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   Van Houseposted 8 years ago

   With parental permission (assuming the minor hasn't been emancipated) and approval from medical professionals? Yes, absolutely, but that allowance isn't strictly necessary.
   
   Pre-pubescent children that identify as transgender are able to delay puberty with the help of drugs referred to as "puberty blockers." The idea is to delay the development of sex characteristics as well as surgery, allowing the child to work through their gender dysphoria before committing to a permanent transition. The effect of the blockers is not permanent, and can be reversed if desired.
   
   There are very interesting studies about children that went through this treatment, but perhaps the biggest benefit seems to be the resolution of dysphoria, and the time this delay gives. Children are available to develop emotionally and come to terms with their identity -- no rushing into surgery needed.

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      Stacie Lposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I watched an interview with a psychologist that discussed the puberty blockers and it makes sense. As you said, it gives the individual time to become fully aware of their gender identity before a permanent physical change is initiated.

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   TheBizWhizposted 8 years ago

   I would say 65, just so that person can have time to be sure it was the right decision. Adding or cutting off kibbles and bits can be a big step. Maybe 70 would be better... I don't know, it is kind of a gray area.

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   1. 88

      Stacie Lposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Poor Bruce should 'nt have waited so long? LOL

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   From my Brainposted 7 years ago

   That's a great question.  Because me and 300,000 American children were surgically altered because they were born with ambigous gender.
   
   Many like me were surgically altered the very day we were born. My parents decided my gender in a way that made an even number of boys and girls with zero regard to my development.
   
     Did you know you have the same odds of being born with red hair as you do of being born with ambigous gender? Did you know know that over 300,000 American children have been surgically altered to "fit social norms" and no other reason? https://soapboxie.com/social-issues/I-w … sgenderism

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