Submitted by Stephanie Dykes (not verified) on Tue, 2012-02-21 19:36
Neighborhood/City:
Lombard (Suburbs)
When I was 10, I knew I was different. For some reason, I would pray to God each night to let me wake up in the morning and be a girl, even though I was born a boy. Finally in my mid-40s I was at a place in my life when I could transition from male to female. This has been a painful and difficult road. How I wish that I could have been born at a time when hormone blockers were an alternative, and how I wish I had been born into a family that would have been supportive. Hormone blockers save transgender children the pain of having to overcome irreversible changes brought on by puberty. Hormone blockers are a humane choice.
Submitted by Clare Witter (not verified) on Tue, 2012-02-21 19:46
Neighborhood/City:
Burr Ridge (Suburbs)
To say that it was shocking and disappointing to see such a disturbing program this evening on Chicago Tonight is an understatement. To think that Bill Ponce would "host" Dr. Robert Garfalo, a man who claims to be in the business of treating children for medical disorders and disease in the name of promoting sex change treatments to six year olds is unbelievably disturbing. This is nothing more than modern day eugenics. Then in the same discussion it was stated that some people make themselves to be "God" and disagree with such treatment. This program was nothing more than scary and disturbing. What is happening here is a mad doctor is making himself "god" and tampering with children and their God-given dignity as humans. Absolutely unthinkable. I have always been a faithful supporter of WTTW pledge drives. Never again.
Submitted by barry carrington (not verified) on Wed, 2012-02-22 00:41
No, children under 18 should not undergo sex changing treatment. The argument on the show is that such treatment will help prevent "trauma" that MAY occur when the child is older. But suppose the child changes his or her mind after puberty and THAT causes trauma? Instead, parents and pediatricians should provide emotional, psychological and familial support to their child and save the biological alterations for when the child is old enough to fully understand the complexities of their bodies, sex, gender, sexuality and society, and are able to make a well-thought-out, ADULT decision on the matter.
Submitted by richard o (not verified) on Wed, 2012-02-22 01:32
Neighborhood/City:
Lakeview (Chicago)
There are good arguments on both sides as indicated by the responses above by Stephanie and Barry. What that shows is that this is not something that should be decided by any of us at all. Having the possibility exist is a good thing. Actual use of the possibility is something that should be decided on a case by case basis by the parents, child and doctors. This is not a one size fits all situation. It would be wrong to deny early gender change in all cases - it would be wrong to promote early gender change in all cases. The option should be available but only taken after much discussion, consideration and counseling.
Video Archive
Should children under age 18 be allowed to undergo sex-changing
When I was 10, I knew I was different. For some reason, I would pray to God each night to let me wake up in the morning and be a girl, even though I was born a boy. Finally in my mid-40s I was at a place in my life when I could transition from male to female. This has been a painful and difficult road. How I wish that I could have been born at a time when hormone blockers were an alternative, and how I wish I had been born into a family that would have been supportive. Hormone blockers save transgender children the pain of having to overcome irreversible changes brought on by puberty. Hormone blockers are a humane choice.
Sex Changing Treatments for children
To say that it was shocking and disappointing to see such a disturbing program this evening on Chicago Tonight is an understatement. To think that Bill Ponce would "host" Dr. Robert Garfalo, a man who claims to be in the business of treating children for medical disorders and disease in the name of promoting sex change treatments to six year olds is unbelievably disturbing. This is nothing more than modern day eugenics. Then in the same discussion it was stated that some people make themselves to be "God" and disagree with such treatment. This program was nothing more than scary and disturbing. What is happening here is a mad doctor is making himself "god" and tampering with children and their God-given dignity as humans. Absolutely unthinkable. I have always been a faithful supporter of WTTW pledge drives. Never again.
NO
No, children under 18 should not undergo sex changing treatment. The argument on the show is that such treatment will help prevent "trauma" that MAY occur when the child is older. But suppose the child changes his or her mind after puberty and THAT causes trauma? Instead, parents and pediatricians should provide emotional, psychological and familial support to their child and save the biological alterations for when the child is old enough to fully understand the complexities of their bodies, sex, gender, sexuality and society, and are able to make a well-thought-out, ADULT decision on the matter.
Sex change for children
There are good arguments on both sides as indicated by the responses above by Stephanie and Barry. What that shows is that this is not something that should be decided by any of us at all. Having the possibility exist is a good thing. Actual use of the possibility is something that should be decided on a case by case basis by the parents, child and doctors. This is not a one size fits all situation. It would be wrong to deny early gender change in all cases - it would be wrong to promote early gender change in all cases. The option should be available but only taken after much discussion, consideration and counseling.
Add new comment