Transgender in youth is used to identify a person’s gender either female or male depending on their behavioral character. Gender- nonconforming individuals were those given gender names opposite from their sex assigned to them at childbirth. For example transgender girls being given sex gender as male at the time of birth but later identify themselves as female. Transgender boys are people who on the date of birthgender was female but then transformed to a male. All these changes are usually doneat public or private health hospitals that are licensed and operating under the government legalized rules (Lambda Legal n.d).
Transgender youth as like any other human being and need to be given equal rights in the society with free and fair treatment, support and proper safety from their family member to express their identities freely tothe public. By expressing their gender identity to others, these people are in a position to lead fulfilled happy lives as they will be appreciated in the society and treated with respect (4). According to Mizocket al.(2), adolescence children requesting for gender-affirming treatment have been found to be very active and have a healthy psychological functioning of the body despite a slight slow response in their moods, body images, and anxiety. These effects were confirmed because of external factors in their surrounding including family distress, parental rejection, lack of financial support and peer bullying among others (6). Research has shown that family support and positive response to such children should be applied to protect against adverse health hazards and psychological outcomes in the child. Parents with such affected children need to work in close cooperation with interdisciplinary organizations of physicians and health care providers trained to handle gender diversity and transgender youth matters. For example interpersonal relationships through counseling, sense of self-belonging and Gender History to help them achieve their goal in the expected full transition on gender (7).
An organization called World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) was formed to mobilize and internationally recognize the procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of youths Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Medication for GID is meant to offer support and not changing a person’s identity such as medical care on hormone therapy and surgery to align physical body with aninternal sense of becoming a male or female (3). Youths who are transgender in most cases feel like they are living inside a body that is not theirs and feel trapped in another person’s body considering the physical appearance (Kids Health 2). Some of them start sensing the change while they are young children while others at early stages of puberty. When these youths realize their transgender inequality, some of them become emotionally confused and surgeryoperation is the idea to have one gender best for them( 7).
Transgender young people have the right to express themselves without any risk of violence and harassment. They also have a right to equal job opportunities, marriage and social interaction with other members of the community under the law. With challenges they experience in life, they also require programs that will address their health status, housing and legal needs (Peterson 5). It was due to adverse employment outcomes that these youths experienced such as being fired at theworkplace and not receiving promotions that forced the US government to have non- discrimination laws that included gender identity and expression (17).
Some of the right for transgender individuals was constitutedunder the law at federal level Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. It was formed to address sexually based discrimination in schools and other institutions. In the first amendment, a bill was passed to give rights on clothes to wear consistently on grounds with personal appearance (Bowers and Lopez 4). These rights include Right to safety regardless of their race, sexual orientation, age, and gender.it are important that they are essential for one to have a conducive environment to stay to maintain his or her personal dignity and humanity.
Right to life, freedom from torture and security of the person: Everyone is entitled to security and protection by the government against any violence act as it has the authority to prevent torture and other cruelty based on sexual differences (AHRC 4). Another one is right to health, and transgender youths have the responsibility to receive standard treatment on physical and mental health. For example, reproductive health without any biases and human interference meaning that nobody should be forced to undergo medical surgery or hormone therapy, but it should be based on their volunteering and interest to perform the procedure.
Education rights need to be of adaptable quality to satisfy the needs of the students and community as a whole. All of them need to have equal opportunities in studies to prevent them from engaging in immoral behaviors such as drug abuse (5). Right to good living standards both in housing and at work for them to give productive outcomesregarding returns. They should consider favorable conditions at workplace and safety measures without taking into account their gender identity. Privacy is another right these peoplepaid at all times (8). These people also have freedom to marriage at all cost. The dream of every young individual in future is to have a family hence they need to be considered as ordinary people with the capability to maintain and care for their families by not condemning them.
Youths with this kind of sex also have freedom to use restrooms with others in the public. Culture is working hard to ensure that these people receive their civil rights and participate in activities such as being a superstar in sports and drama festivals. Freedom should be given to them to have access to restaurants, hotels, and bathrooms.
When this is considered they will feel appreciated and avoid attempts of taking away their lives especially against discrimination and isolation by the members of the public and other government leaders (MacDonald 2). The world is currently diverse and vibrant with transgender people that in increasing because of the modern technology advancement in the health sectors. It has become a national concern which led to equality and joy after a great pain of fighting for their civil rights to be legalized and passed as law by the government that created awareness and made them be who they are today without any fear or neglecting.
In conclusion, transgender people should be given equal rights in the community for them to feel most comfortable in both body and mind. Youth-serving professionals must advocate for fair competence on transgender issues including respecting young people’s rights, decisions, and legal, cultural acceptance in the society. Parents need to be advocates for their children when they realize such a disorder and use the child’s preferred gender names. They should also educate themselves on matters affecting transgender youths and find solutions how to treat the children in the family impacted by encouraging them to stand up for their rights. Further, they need to assure these kids that they will offer them unconditional love and support in the family throughout their lifetime.
Works Cited
Lambda Legal. Working With Transgender and gender nonconformity youth. (n.d). <http://www.lambdalegal.org/know-your-rights/working-with-transgender-youth>
Kids Health. Transgender People (2016). <http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/transgender.html>
Peterson Nicholas. The Health and Rights of Transgender Youth. Publication 2008 Web Nov 2013.<http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publications-a-z/2282-the-health-and-rights-of-transgender-youth>
Bowers Grant and Lopez Wendy. Respecting the Rights of Transgender Youth in the School System. 2012. <http://www.nsba.org/sites/default/files/reports/Respecting%20the%20Rights%20of%20Transgender%20Youth%20and%20appendices.pdf>
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Equality. (n.d).<https://bullying.humanrights.gov.au/get-help-bullying-violence-and-harassment>
MacDonald Anne-Marie. Transforming Gender.Aug27, 2015. http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episodes/transforming-gender
Mizock Lauren, Mougianis Effie and Meier Colt. Gender Diversity and Transgender Identity in Adolescents.(n.d).<http://www.apadivisions.org/division-44/resources/advocacy/transgender-adolescents.pdf>
