Waka Gashira (imported) wrote: Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:42 pm
I do believe that support for transgender, or even eunuch-wannabe kids should be more readily available.
I agree with this as well - a more open approach to sexuality instead of the usual 'fly off the handle' reaction, or knee-jerk response of "YOU'RE A BOY, DAMMIT! ACT LIKE ONE!" This is certainly not helpful. Trust me, I live in an area where this is NOT at ALL understood, as A-1 can witness. There is a serious lack of open-mindedness here.
Waka Gashira (imported) wrote: Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:42 pm
In a purely theoretical sci-fi world, it might be an interesting idea to have all boys puberty delayed until after they become "adults". This would solve many of society's ills, and allow decisions about sexuality or sexual identity to be made with a "mature" mind. Those who wish to remain as they are; "boys" or "eunuchs" rather than "men" could, at that age, be given the necessary treatment to allow their decisions to be upheld.
Granted, one (1) case does not make for a thesis, however...
Godson2's cousin, we'll call him JC, is - for all intents and purposes - a eunuch.
WHY he is remains a great mystery. His grandmother is an RN, and claims that the doctor has found no reason whatsoever for his condition.
This was noticed by G2 and friends when puberty was hitting them all. Or rather, hitting them all but for JC. To make a long story short, a get-together at the lake community one weekend night around a poker game turned into strip poker, and eventually a make-out session. Having always been very open and honest about all matters "male" and "sexual", G2 comes to me and says, "JC doesn't even have any hair yet!" This was at age 14-15. High voice, plump...red flag. Enter Granny and her RN status; trip to the doctor.
Findings - little to no testosterone in JC's system. No signs of puberty whatsoever. Not one indicator. Reasons? Unknown.
What gets me is that JC identifies as male. 100%. He likes girls. Yet here he is, almost 15 at this point, with a child's voice, no whiskers or fuzz, no body hair, and "tiny genitals". (sic). And of course, being plump, the beginnings of breasts and serious teasing.
What astounded me was that no one did anything. Nothing. The effects for JC were obesity by age 16, C-cup breasts, and still no secondary male sexual characteristics.
Jesus A. here has been to my house, and has met JC. He knows who he is. In the years since, JC is now ~19. He has some development, but not much. His voice is still high, but he has managed to lose some weight. He has never had a girlfriend for more than a few weeks. And being low income, having never been encouraged to do well in school, nothing has ever been done for him.
The result is not the "eternal boygod appearance" of fanfiction here, nor the "beauty" of some of the writings of the past concerning castrati singers or page boys.
The results in JC's case were and are not pretty. He got all the worst effects of being a eunuch - rather - one with naturally nonfunctional testicles.
More than once, I vehemently encouraged his Grandma (custody) to see state aid to get him on HRT, since that was what he wanted, but no one could afford it for him. The state plan would not pay for it, either, pathetic as Indiana's plan for low income kids is.
This is one danger of delayed puberty in any boy (MtE, MtF) that would have to be closely watched - the side effects that are NOT desirable.
In this case, as I said, there was no intervention, and now it's pretty much too late to reverse these things without costly surgery such as breast reduction, lipo, etc. I am not even sure if HRT would promote proper genital development at his age or not.
So while it's good in theory, and I would tend to agree with some of it, it must be monitored CLOSELY.
G3 is 12 now and getting a fuzzy upper lip. It saddens me to see it, but then again, I have always found it hard to let go of the "affectionate boy" in exchange for the "snarky teenager." Would that puberty could be delayed, or didn't start so damn soon...but this not my choice to make.
It should be up to the child, and these cases, one wanted it and was denied.
One wants it, and is getting it.
Still proof that as a Society, we have LONG way to go.