UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

Transgender individuals struggle with a misalignment between their biological and interpersonal self, in order to rectify this issue gender affirming health care is used to re-align the two aspects of themselves. The American Psychiatric Association defines transgender individuals as those who are assigned one gender identity at birth and identify as another later in life (Yarbrough 2023). There are various different gender orientations that a person canidentify with but most of the examples will focus on male-to-female (MTF) or female-to-male (FTM) transgender experiences. The current standard on gender affirming care focuses on various steps of diagnosis, traditional therapy, hormone therapy and surgical interventions (Yarbrough 2023). Transgender children suffer academically and socially due to having an internal struggle with their gender dysphoria, often affecting their everyday life (Boyle 2022). The argument against gender affirming care for minors focuses on the ability of minors to conceptualize the long-lasting effects the care will have on their body as well as the fear theindividual will change their mind over time. The argument for gender affirming care for minors views the issue as necessary medical care that treats a life-threatening issue. This paper will conduct a thorough review of current opinions on gender affirming care for minors, addressing gaps in understanding of what care is given and the effects the care has on the individual with a special note on beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy using a deontological ethical framework.