Asklemmy

I also believe it ~~does~~ possibly can add a lot of harm to children. I can only explain my own anecdotal example. When I was young, I was abused and therefore developed sexuality early on. There was a time of a few years when I couldn't feel anything because of the constant punishment and where I was sexually exploring my body. Even back then there was a lot of media and the thought of being a women was exciting (my abuse person was a women). If back then there had been the option to go to a doctor and transition, I had probably done it as to escape the abuse. There wasn't, but if you then add media, people and encouraging parents who tell you "you must be trans", this can very easily manipulate a kid, even young adult to do the step. Therefore I personally believe this whole topic isn't researched enough and there are issues a lot of people fear to talk about.

Concluding I'm happy that I didn't have the option to transition as I'm 100% a man, but sexual thoughts, better medical options and a supportive environment, would've easily pushed me to change my body. With the growing depression I developed since 5 years old (thankfully largely recovered sind 3 years), this might have pushed me over the edge, on days where I was suicidal and already had the bag of belongings in my hands, to jump of the next bridge.

Edit: I want to add that I'm no expert and therefore don't see myself as the culprit of knowledge. If doctors decide otherwise that's the opinion I go by. I'm also not American, so I can freely talk about this, without being caught up in the heated debate of your politics. I'm not advocating to be against transsexual or transgender. I'm pro LGBTQ but wanted to add my thoughts, despite people willing to silence me.

I changed the the text a bit up to make it sound less aggressive, as I totally understand that for some children the transition is necessary as to help them develop a healthy relationship with themselves and their body.

I don't think I'm a rare case. Children get abused every day. We know by now that abuse leads to early sexualization and that children are easily manipulated by their parents and environment. To ignore that is stupid. People are too quickly in their judgment, to protect themselves from possible harm, this collides with the willingly bias of the every day person and is unscientific.