In recent years, access to gender-affirming treatment for transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) youth in the United States has been contentious. Gender-affirming care refers to medical and mental treatments that support an individual’s gender identity rather than their biological sex. Such treatments include hormone therapy, surgery, and psychiatric counseling (Kimberly et al.). The freedom to express one’s gender identity is a fundamental human right, yet getting gender-affirming treatment can be difficult for many young adults. Some argue that kids are not mature enough to make decisions about their gender identity and that access to gender-affirming therapy should be restricted until they are adults. Access to gender-affirming treatment, on the other hand, may be argued to be crucial for TGNC adolescents’ well-being. Denying access might have negative consequences, such as an increased risk of suicide and despair.
As such, TGNC adolescents may benefit from gender-affirming care. In trials, gender-affirming therapy has been shown to reduce the likelihood of sadness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in this population. According to Kimberly et al. (2018), physical and psychological treatment to validate individuals’ gender identities has been shown to alleviate many of the adverse effects of gender dysphoria. Anxiety caused by a mismatch between one’s allocated gender at birth and one’s gender identity is referred to as this phrase. Moreover, Green et al. suggest a link between gender-affirming therapy and lower rates of depression and suicidal behavior among TGNC kids. Similarly, Tordoff et al. observed that having access to gender-affirming treatment was associated with a year-long reduction in mental health disparities among TGNC children. Given this population’s high frequency of adverse mental health outcomes, the study suggests that TNB children may benefit from short-term access to pharmacological therapy.
If TGNC kids are refused access to gender-affirming therapy, they may face serious consequences. According to studies, withholding access to gender-affirming care raises the risk of suicide, stress, and other mental health conditions. According to Sorbara et al. (2021), among children seeking gender-affirming medical therapy, late pubescence and older age are associated with poor mental health. Additionally, because of their disadvantage, TGNC children are more likely than their non-TGNC classmates to experience a number of trauma-related risk factors associated with poor mental and physical health, such as poverty, joblessness, and violence (Kimberly et al.). As a result of the extreme stigma, TGNC adolescents may be less likely to seek and obtain competent medical treatment for gender-affirming procedures or other health issues, putting them at a greater risk of poor health outcomes. Given the desperation that TGNC persons living with gender dysphoria might experience, many who do not have easy access to gender-affirming care resort to self-treatment (Kimberly et al.). This information indicates that these people may be highly vulnerable and need assistance.
Lastly, making gender-affirming therapy available is consistent with the concepts of the explicit consent and bodily autonomy. Kids who can make informed decisions about their own physical and mental health care should be able to receive gender-affirming care. The freedom to choose one’s own care delivery is a fundamental human right, according to Dawson et al. (2020). Additionally, the stated therapy appears to adhere to the ideals of beneficence (the commitment to help patients) and nonmaleficence (the avoidance of needless harm) (Kimberly et al.). Denying teenagers access to therapy can have negative consequences, and they should be able to make educated decisions about their health care.
Others, however, could counter that teens should not have access to gender-affirming therapy until they are adults because they lack the maturity to make decisions that are consistent with their gender. In this context, the debate in the United States over juvenile access to gender-affirming care has become a contentious issue. Some states enact legislation barring entry, while others have created broad non-discrimination health legislation based on gender identity and sexual orientation. (Dawson et al.). Nevertheless, this argument ignores the negative consequences of limiting access to care, such as an increased risk of suicide, depression, and other illnesses related to mental health. As a result, providing access to gender-affirming therapy is compatible with informed consent and bodily autonomy norms. Hence, adolescents who are capable of making informed decisions regarding their own medical care should be permitted to do so.
In conclusion, teenagers in the United States should be able to get gender-affirming care. Getting therapy can improve one’s mental health and general well-being, while being denied access can have severe consequences, such as an increased risk of suicide and depression. Access to gender-affirming care is consistent with the notions of informed consent and physical autonomy. Still, restricting access can harm young people who are capable of making informed decisions about their own health care. It is past time for the United States to guarantee that young people receive the services that they need to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Works Cited
Dawson, Lindsey, et al. “Youth Access to Gender Affirming Care: The Federal and State Policy Landscape.” KFF, Web.
Green, Amy E., et al. “Association of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy with Depression, Thoughts of Suicide, and Attempted Suicide Among Transgender and Nonbinary Youth.” Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 70, no. 4, 2022, pp. 643–49. Web.
Kimberly, Laura L., et al. “Ethical Issues in Gender-Affirming Care for Youth.” Pediatrics, vol. 142, no. 6, 2018, Web.
Sorbara, Julia C., et al. “Mental Health and Timing of Gender-Affirming Care.” Pediatrics, vol. 146, no. 4, 2020, Web.
Tordoff, Diana M., et al. “Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 5, no. 2, 2022. Web.
