The NEA is pushing far left teaching upon children

[A2SG]

I don’t know. A boy acting in a feminine manner is still a boy, he cannot change his chromosomes or biology,

No one said otherwise.

but bullying can definitely be a factor.

Absolutely. And that doesn't mean the bullying caused the trans feeling, but was the result of it. So mental health issues that may be related to gender identity, but stemming from factors not caused by it.

See how that works?

A boy wouldn’t know what it’s like to be a girl just because he likes girl things; that’s nonsense.

How does a girl know what it's like to be a girl? Does all of that come exclusively from her genitalia?

Maybe people identify as the opposite gender because of trauma? Then again, correlation doesn’t equal causation.

Exactly. It could also be that trauma results from having feelings that other people don't allow you to express or even admit.

True it’s complicated.

Very much so. Which is why simply dismissing these identity issues as "mental health issues" is diminishing them, and the complexity involved.

And comparing religion to this identity issue is apple and oranges.

Not really, since both involve one's identity, but I won't pursue the topic.

-- A2SG, may skirt too close to the edge....

 

[A2SG]

Sure. A lot of those feelings can fade in time. It can just be a phase.

Or it may not be.

-- A2SG, lots of phases last a long, long time....

 

[RileyG]

Or it may not be.

-- A2SG, lots of phases last a long, long time....

Correct. Which is why only mature adults should make that choice.

 

[Stopped_lurking]

Hopefully the child’s best interest is in mind. Making permanent changes on a child who may be going through a phase isn’t exactly wise though.

I was talking about pronoun use.

 

[A2SG]

100% of trans people have mental health issues.

100% of people have mental health issues. Some are addressed, some never are.

-- A2SG, the only people with no mental health issues have no mental anything....

 

[RileyG]

No one said otherwise.


Absolutely. And that doesn't mean the bullying caused the trans feeling, but was the result of it. So mental health issues that may be related to gender identity, but stemming from factors not caused by it.

See how that works?


How does a girl know what it's like to be a girl? Does all of that come exclusively from her genitalia?


Exactly. It could also be that trauma results from having feelings that other people don't allow you to express or even admit.


Very much so. Which is why simply dismissing these identity issues as "mental health issues" is diminishing them, and the complexity involved.


Not really, since both involve one's identity, but I won't pursue the topic.

-- A2SG, may skirt too close to the edge....

It’s not about their privates, it’s about reality. Yes, it’s complicated, but minors have a whole life ahead of them. Most will probably grow out of some fleeting feelings. Telling them they are the opposite gender will only confuse and hurt them. It’s far too complicated to suggest a boy who likes girl stuff is immediately trans because of his preferences.

 

[RileyG]

I was talking about pronoun use.

Well? I’ll leave that up to the person they’re interacting with.

 

[RileyG]

100% of people have mental health issues. Some are addressed, some never are.

-- A2SG, the only people with no mental health issues have no mental anything....

I think by mental health issues, the poster meant mental illness.

 

[A2SG]

Agreed; and it should be treated as such with talk therapy and medication. Not bodily mutilation and hormones.

In many cases, therapy is enough, but for some, it isn't. Only a medical professional is qualified to diagnose that.

-- A2SG, but there are many, many unqualified folk who think they know more than those who are qualified....

 

[Stopped_lurking]

Well? I’ll leave that up to the person they’re interacting with.

And schools should also be allowed to use the preferred pronoun?

 

[A2SG]

Correct. Which is why only mature adults should make that choice.

Some choices, yes. But even kids have feelings, and they shouldn't be dismissed as if they don't exist.

-- A2SG, and there are many who would claim they don't exist....

 

[A2SG]

It’s not about their privates, it’s about reality. Yes, it’s complicated, but minors have a whole life ahead of them. Most will probably grow out of some fleeting feelings. Telling them they are the opposite gender will only confuse and hurt them. It’s far too complicated to suggest a boy who likes girl stuff is immediately trans because of his preferences.

It is also too complicated to say their feelings aren't legitimate. Best to allow the individual, minor or otherwise, to freely express those feelings to medical professionals qualified to guide them to the best course of treatment for them. A far better choice than listening to random yahoos on the internet, I say.

-- A2SG, just another random yahoo on the internet....

 

[Hans Blaster]

It’s not about their privates, it’s about reality.

If it isn't about genitalia, then why is it anything other than feelings in your head or arbitrary?

Yes, it’s complicated, but minors have a whole life ahead of them. Most will probably grow out of some fleeting feelings. Telling them they are the opposite gender will only confuse and hurt them. It’s far too complicated to suggest a boy who likes girl stuff is immediately trans because of his preferences.

If it isn't about genitalia, then how do we know what is the "opposite gender"?

 

[A2SG]

I think by mental health issues, the poster meant mental illness.

If it's all the same, I'll leave the distinction between a mental health issue and a mental health illness to qualified medical professionals.

-- A2SG, kinda how I roll on such things....

 

[RileyG]

Some choices, yes. But even kids have feelings, and they shouldn't be dismissed as if they don't exist.

-- A2SG, and there are many who would claim they don't exist....

No. I never said otherwise.

 

[RileyG]

If it's all the same, I'll leave the distinction between a mental health issue and a mental health illness to qualified medical professionals.

-- A2SG, kinda how I roll on such things....

That's entirely fair and I won't comment further on the distinction between the two.

 

[RileyG]

If it isn't about genitalia, then why is it anything other than feelings in your head or arbitrary?

If it isn't about genitalia, then how do we know what is the "opposite gender"?

How would a boy know what it's like to be a girl or vice versa? Based on stereotypes and feelings? If gender is JUST a social construct, so called gender affirming care inset' necessary, then, because their physical characteristics are irrelevant.

 

[RileyG]

It is also too complicated to say their feelings aren't legitimate. Best to allow the individual, minor or otherwise, to freely express those feelings to medical professionals qualified to guide them to the best course of treatment for them. A far better choice than listening to random yahoos on the internet, I say.

-- A2SG, just another random yahoo on the internet....

Of course! I would say without an extreme ideology influencing them. Maybe they would just grow up to like their body just as it is, or just grow up to be gay. Doesn't automatically mean they identify as the opposite gender. It's not so simple, and black and white.

 

[RileyG]

And schools should also be allowed to use the preferred pronoun?

Ehhhh...I'm on the fence on this one. Some parents might not like it, some teachers might not like it, some conservative districts might not like it. Some professionals may or may not agree or disagree.

When it comes to minors, I think they should be left alone and leave it to biology.

THEN AGAIN, I think that should be left up to mental health professionals and doctors.

 

[A2SG]

No. I never said otherwise.

Good. There are some who do believe these feelings are invalid and should be ignored, mostly due to their own personal agenda.

That's entirely fair and I won't comment further on the distinction between the two.

Cool.

Of course! I would say without an extreme ideology influencing them.

Whether or not any ideology is "extreme" is in the eye of the beholder.

Maybe they would just grow up to like their body just as it is, or just grow up to be gay.

Or maybe they will grow up and know that their gender is not the same as their sex. It does happen.

Doesn't automatically mean they identify as the opposite gender. It's not so simple, and black and white.

It also doesn't automatically mean they do not. These things are far too complicated for other people to make decisions about.

-- A2SG, especially when these "other people" don't understand the feelings at all.....