09-17-2014, 11:28 PM
^ I know what you mean, blueberry -- no worries. I agree that the pre-screening process is critical for anyone who is exploring gender reassignment surgery. Some people may think they want to undergo the transformation until they realize what a huge commitment and what a long process it entails.
I didn't see that CNN program you mentioned. But, I did see a TLC documentary years ago that always stuck with me about the twin Reimer brothers. One of them, David, had gender reassignment following a terribly botched circumcision as a baby in Canada back in 1965. He was raised as a girl (without being told he'd been born male). Tragic story and very interesting case of nature vs. nurture.
Dr. Money was the sexual reassignment guru who convinced the family that gender identity is determined by nurture. Didn't turn out that way. If you haven't seen it and you're interested, it's a good informative piece if you have time to watch it. I found the videos; they're embedded below this post.
One thing that concerns me are the cases of parents who want to have their toddlers or young children's biological sexes changed because they say the child identifies as the opposite sex. Lotta debate surrounding the issue. Advocates for it say that it's better to start the process as early as possible for social integration (I understand that point, but think it's too uncertain and risky). Those against child gender reassignment, like me, think that children are too young to know what they really want and the parents shouldn't get to make that call. Even if the parent truly believes the child was born identifying as the opposite gender, the child is not able to process and communicate all of the implications clearly enough to confirm the parents' beliefs. Plus, kids' perceptions of themselves change as their brains develop and the child may not have been born in the wrong body after all. I don't think gender reassignment surgery should be an option for anyone but adults who've gone through the full screening and counseling process.
Anyway, Interesting topic. I'll try to find that CNN piece you referenced on line this weekend and give it watch.
NATURE VS. NURTURE: DAVID REIMER SEX REASSIGNMENT CASE
I didn't see that CNN program you mentioned. But, I did see a TLC documentary years ago that always stuck with me about the twin Reimer brothers. One of them, David, had gender reassignment following a terribly botched circumcision as a baby in Canada back in 1965. He was raised as a girl (without being told he'd been born male). Tragic story and very interesting case of nature vs. nurture.
Dr. Money was the sexual reassignment guru who convinced the family that gender identity is determined by nurture. Didn't turn out that way. If you haven't seen it and you're interested, it's a good informative piece if you have time to watch it. I found the videos; they're embedded below this post.
One thing that concerns me are the cases of parents who want to have their toddlers or young children's biological sexes changed because they say the child identifies as the opposite sex. Lotta debate surrounding the issue. Advocates for it say that it's better to start the process as early as possible for social integration (I understand that point, but think it's too uncertain and risky). Those against child gender reassignment, like me, think that children are too young to know what they really want and the parents shouldn't get to make that call. Even if the parent truly believes the child was born identifying as the opposite gender, the child is not able to process and communicate all of the implications clearly enough to confirm the parents' beliefs. Plus, kids' perceptions of themselves change as their brains develop and the child may not have been born in the wrong body after all. I don't think gender reassignment surgery should be an option for anyone but adults who've gone through the full screening and counseling process.
Anyway, Interesting topic. I'll try to find that CNN piece you referenced on line this weekend and give it watch.
NATURE VS. NURTURE: DAVID REIMER SEX REASSIGNMENT CASE