missmystique

many of us probably would have been convinced to do so

No one is being convinced of anything. People are being enabled to live as their true selves.

I also think it’s a tool we reach for much more often than is necessary.

There is no data to back this up, nor is there any reason to think it’s true. Trans people, even just considering the youngest generation, remain a very small percentage of the general population.

Giving gender affirming care to all people with gender or body dysphoria is like giving high dose Adderall to all people who have trouble paying attention in history class. It’s the nuclear option, and you’re using it on someone who may not even have adhd, or may not require such a strong intervention.

Any medical treatment should not be prescribed without a doctor’s due consideration. Gender affirming care, at any age, is no different. There is not a nuclear option available or used for minors expressing they want gender affirming care.

I know everyone hates this word, but starting with more conservative treatments first is the norm throughout healthcare for exactly this reason. We’ve made an exception for transgender people for political reasons, not scientific ones.

No such exception has been made, certainly not for trans kids.

So, that’s why the comment has some downvotes. And probably should have more. The comment isn’t a differing opinion; it’s factually incorrect.

Self upvotes feel fine yet self boosts feel excessive to me, but I don’t have an actual reason for thinking that.