Sex change at 16?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by YukisUke

16 year-old kids get tattoos all the time where I live. No big deal. The marriage part however, not gonna happen. You're getting out of line when all I said was that I would let my child get a sex change if they didn't feel right in their skin. Don't change the subject on me and don't turn to other topics that don't have to do with the thread.

Out of line? Hardly. I just asked a couple questions.

What 16-year-old feels right in their own skin?

Originally Posted by Nyororin

I think the big reason I answered "individual basis" on this one was that there are indeed cases of true GID (Gender Identity Disorder) that are present from childhood and can be verified. There is no benefit in making people with the disorder "wait" - it will only bring on natural bodily changes that, well, cannot be reversed.
Parents and doctors should be involved, things should be checked and verified, and if it is true GID from childhood - I see absolutely no reason not to go through a sex change at an early age.
It is when it is a fleeting stage that people should step back and wait. And it shouldn`t be hard to tell if there is a high chance of it being just a stage as it would not have been present from early childhood. And if it had only been a childhood stage, it shouldn`t last until early puberty.

I agree, this is a decision that must be made with direct medical counseling all the way. Doctors and counselors should be able to determine what is legitimate GID, and what is a possibly temporary state of mind.

[TalnSG]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

I think the big reason I answered "individual basis" on this one was that there are indeed cases of true GID (Gender Identity Disorder) that are present from childhood and can be verified. There is no benefit in making people with the disorder "wait" - it will only bring on natural bodily changes that, well, cannot be reversed.

Actually, there are several serious physical reasons for delaying the medical transition from one gender to the other.

I don't think I should go into the graphic detail, but the surgery performed for changing from male to female requires fully developed genitalia and if done to early in life the results will be far from desirable.

For females transitioning to male, the advantages of starting hormone therapy required is offset by the damage done over the years the hormone therapy is continued. The transition is more effective the earlier it is done, but the health risks of the drug increases the longer the person uses them. And those risk are not minor problems. The decision of when to begin is hard choice.

And personally, from my experience with F>M patients, they really need to be rather mature adults to handle the psychological side effects the initial hormone injections. If you know a woman with severe mood swings due to PMS, imagine it times 10 and then imagine it with the sexual drive of a 13 year old boy.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by TalnSG

I don't think I should go into the graphic detail, but the surgery performed for changing from male to female requires fully developed genitalia and if done to early in life the results will be far from desirable.

I can`t speak for certain on the male to female bit, but when it comes to female to male - the earlier it can be done, the more natural and convincing the results.

Genital surgery is something we`re quite close and familiar with.

The best case scenario for female to male would be an initial surgery before the early puberty growth spurt, and then adjustments made during/after puberty as needed.

I don`t have any personal experience with male to female, but in hearing all the doctors talk - it certainly sounds like it would leave a much more natural result if the genital area is given the chance to grow with the body rather than be made after all the growth is done in that case too.

Disclaimer; Son was born with no penis or scrotum, and a half-depth pseudo vaginal depression below the urethral opening. We`ve seen all the options for attempting to reach the most natural genitalia in both form and function.

[nellie1208]

I also think that 16 is REALLY a very young age, although he/she has a parent's consent or not, he's still young for it. But if that's what Kim wants, we have nothing to do with it. That's what make Kim happy!

[Maxful]

She looks pretty though.

[collapsingcake]

I think 16 is too young because he might look very little and pretty now. But don't guys start looking more manly after they're 20 sometimes ?? Wouldn't it be better to wait until you're a full adult so you know exactly how it's gonna look? Girls stop growing at 16 but guys don't.

[YukisUke]

Originally Posted by collapsingcake

I think 16 is too young because he might look very little and pretty now. But don't guys start looking more manly after they're 20 sometimes ?? Wouldn't it be better to wait until you're a full adult so you know exactly how it's gonna look? Girls stop growing at 16 but guys don't.

WRONG!!! Girls stop growing at 21 just like the guys do. Physically. Who told you that???

[DragonNL]

Too young? I'm completely against sex change, plastic surgery etc. Nobody should do it whatever the age. It's just stupid. Everybody should be happy with his/her own body.

[YukisUke]

Originally Posted by DragonNL

Too young? I'm completely against sex change, plastic surgery etc. Nobody should do it whatever the age. It's just stupid. Everybody should be happy with his/her own body.

But we're talking about when they're not happy. Say a 16 year-old told you that he didn't feel right as a boy and wanted a sex change to be a girl. If it's to help them be happy and to feel right in their own skin again, wouldn't you do it??

[DragonNL]

Originally Posted by YukisUke

But we're talking about when they're not happy. Say a 16 year-old told you that he didn't feel right as a boy and wanted a sex change to be a girl. If it's to help them be happy and to feel right in their own skin again, wouldn't you do it??

No, I wouldn't do it if I were 16, 30 or 60 years old. I wouldn't do it at all. And if somebody asked my opinion, even if they are not happy..
Well you know the answer.