[RobinMask]

Originally Posted by Tenchu

Well, I'll get flamed for saying this, but are the mentally handicapped really that much as good as everyone else?

Yes. Those with mental disabilities are as good as anyone else.

I know people with Aspergers who've gotten university degrees and good jobs, those with Downsyndrome who have gone into various performing arts, and those with Dyslexia who now own their own businesses or have good careers. These people have difficulties, but they contribute. They contribute more than some layabouts who take benefits from the government, or the 'normal' kid who will go on to drop out of school.

People who are blind, deaf, lagging in their IQ, autistic . . . whatever . . . they all have different abilities, and can achieve great things in life. Even those who - for whatever reason - can't give back to society, who might not be able to move or are fully concious of their surroundings, these people still can give something and most importantly they are still human and still feel.

Of course, regardless that this seems this way in every case, it does not change the fact that these laws are in place to protect misguided people. Most things that require you to be over 18 to part take in are that way for the simple fact that below that age you're barely mature enough to make any decent and lasting decisions. When you're young, you change your mind too easy.

Anyways, I do know a few transgendered people personally . . .

I think it isn't a mental disorder any more than homosexuality is, and that if someone truly wishes to be another gender - with full knowledge of what that entails - then that's fair enough. I do think though that sixteen is a bit too young to decide. At that age you're still going through changes in your body and hormones, working out your identity as a person, learning about sexuality too . . . is it really an age where you know without a shadow of a doubt what gender you are? Is it really an age capable of giving informed consent to operations and what not? I think changing one's sex is fine, but it shouldn't be done until the individual is officially an adult and knows what they're getting themselves in for.

Edit:

Sorry to ask, but I thought you said your son was missing 30% of his brain. If his mental development is behind, I doubt he'll have dramatic gender issues. Do you really think sexuality will cross his mind much when he is older?

Gender identity and sexuality are two distinct and seperate issues.