Gender dysphoria in childhood and adolescence: Current approaches and ethical issues

Year 2023, , 433 - 440, 28.09.2023

Adem Az , M. İhsan Karaman

https://doi.org/10.21673/anadoluklin.1279878

Abstract

Gender dysphoria refers to a significant discomfort that results from a discrepancy between an individual’s gender identity and the gender assigned to them at birth. Gender dysphoria in childhood and adolescence is a complex and challenging issue, which raises important ethical questions about how we should respond to the needs of young people experiencing this condition. There is currently no consensus among medical professionals on the optimal approach for treating gender dysphoric children and adolescents. While earlier approaches to gender dysphoria tended to attribute differences in gender expression to psychosocial causes, recent studies suggest that the developmental course of gender dysphoria is influenced by multiple psychosocial factors that interact with biological factors. In this way, some professionals and the Dutch model advocate for early intervention to promote gender affirmation and reduce the risk of psychological distress, while others recommend a more cautious approach that prioritizes the discovery of gender identity over medical intervention. However, both current treatment recommendations and the Dutch model raise ethical concerns related to gender dysphoria, as they may conflict with the principles of the best interest of the child, being beneficial and not causing harm. In this article, we will critically examine the clinical and ethical considerations surrounding the treatment of gender dysphoric children and adolescents, and discuss the potential risks and benefits of different approaches.

Keywords

Adolescence, childhood, ethics, gender dysphoria, treatment

Çocukluk ve ergenlikte cinsiyet disforisi: Güncel yaklaşımlar ve etik sorunlar

Abstract

Cinsiyet disforisi, bir bireyin cinsiyet kimliği ile doğumda kendisine atanan cinsiyet arasındaki tutarsızlıktan kaynaklanan önemli bir rahatsızlığı ifade eder. Çocukluk ve ergenlik çağı cinsiyet disforisi, bu durumu yaşayan gençlerin ihtiyaçlarına nasıl yanıt vermemiz gerektiğine dair önemli etik soruları gündeme getiren karmaşık ve zorlu bir konudur. Şu anda tıp uzmanları arasında cinsiyet disforik çocukları ve ergenleri tedavi etmek için en uygun yaklaşım konusunda bir fikir birliği yoktur. Cinsiyet disforisine yönelik daha önceki yaklaşımlar, cinsiyet ifadesindeki farklılıkları psikososyal nedenlere atfetme eğilimindeyken, son araştırmalar, cinsiyet disforisinin gelişimsel seyrinin, biyolojik faktörlerle etkileşime giren çok sayıda psikososyal faktörden etkilendiğini savunmaktadır. Bu şekilde, bazı profesyoneller ve Hollanda modeli, cinsiyetin onaylanmasını teşvik etmek ve psikolojik sıkıntı riskini azaltmak için erken müdahaleyi savunurken, diğerleri tıbbi müdahale yerine cinsiyet kimliğinin keşfedilmesine öncelik veren daha temkinli bir yaklaşım önermektedir. Güncel tedavi önerileri ve Hollanda modeli, cinsiyet disforisi ile ilgili etik sorunlara çözümler üretemediği gibi çocuğun üstün yararı, yararlı olma ve zarar vermeme ilkeleri ile çelişen yeni problemler ortaya çıkarmaktadır. Bu makalede, cinsiyet disforik çocuk ve ergenlerin tedavisini çevreleyen klinik ve etik hususları eleştirel bir şekilde inceleyeceğiz ve farklı yaklaşımların potansiyel risklerini ve faydalarını tartışacağız.

Keywords

Cinsiyet disforisi, çocukluk, ergenlik, etik, tedavi

Supporting Institution

Bu makale ile ilgili herhangi bir finansal kaynaktan yararlanılmamıştır

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