Important Ethical Question

[JesusA (imported)]

I made several attempts to telephone today, leaving a message on his answering machine the first time I tried. I also tried his secretary (separate telephone number) several times, leaving a message on her machine. No one seemed to be in today. I'll keep trying and will let you know what I find out.

[jemagirl (imported)]

I made several attempts to telephone today, leaving a message on his answering machine the first time I tried. I also tried his secretary (separate telephone number) several times, leaving a message on her machine. No one seemed to be in today. I'll keep trying and will let you know what I find out.

Perhaps they are hiding out of fear of having upset the eunuch community

[emasculateme (imported)]

i think nature should be allowed to run it's course...given that castration is irreversible, and puberty will change the child's body in a natural way...at that point, and only then, should the child involved make the decision about his own body...the one asking doesn't mention their age, but if they are younger than the age of puberty, it's doubtful they are mature enough to make such a lifelong decision.

[Kangan (imported)]

FINALLY, on Sexnet, about ten minutes ago, a critical question that was raised almost instantly by the EA crew:

"Sounds to me like there could be some serious psychopathology masquerading in the guise of parental empathy.

"

I pleased to learn someone on the professional level (other than Jesus) has the same sort of doubts about this situation. What better way to turn an unwanted male child into a daughter than by castration. [Sound of alarm bells ringing.]

[Kangan (imported)]

I'm going to repost the original question that started this thread:

"

A number of weeks ago, I received an e-mail message from a parent of a young biological male (I will omit the age, but let's say a number of years before the normal onset of puberty) who is described as transgendered...this youngster appears to be living in a family that is part of what I might call the subculture of "transgender affirming" families. As far as I can tell, this youngster showed very early cross-gender behavior and has, more or less, been living as a girl since preschool, with very clear familial and professional support in so doing.

Apart from considering puberty blocking treatment, this parent asked me about the possibility of a bilateral orchidectomy (castration).

So, here is my therapeutic/ethical question: would anyone recommend castrating this youngster? If so, why? If not, why?

"

RED FLAGS (and my concerns):

"Subculture of 'transgender affirming' family." (Is there a transgendered family member other than the child?)

Only one parent is mentioned. (Is this a single parent family? And if so, why? What is the sex of this parent? Just how insistent is this parent about castration? It sounds like a very drastic step to be taken if the child is still far removed from puberty.)

Many years ago I knew a 16-year old boy whose mother insisted that he be circumcised, and had him admitted for the surgery! The boy was somewhat concerned about the procedure, but went along with it for the simple reason that he had no say in the matter. As far as I know there was no valid medical reason for the circumcision other than the mother's insistance on it. The boy told me that his mother wanted him to match the other boys' appearance when nude in the gym locker room!

[kitchkinet18 (imported)]

Castration? I would have to say no. However, chemical castration may be proper. I suppose it is possible to delay the effects of puberty long enough using chemical castration for a proper decision to be made.