They Called It ‘Progress,’ But Kids Are Paying the Price

In the years to come, when historians analyze the early 21st century, one issue may stand out as a shocking misstep in medical and social policy. The controversy surrounding transgender medical treatments for children is growing, and the debate is far from settled.

Recently, former President Donald Trump took a firm stand against these treatments by signing an executive order that bans federal funding for medical procedures and hormone therapies for minors seeking gender transition. This decision comes amid increasing scrutiny and skepticism about the long-term effects of such treatments on children.

Trump’s Executive Order Aims to Protect Children

Trump’s executive order explicitly targets gender-related medical interventions for those under 19. The order argues that these treatments are more ideological than scientific and warns of their potentially harmful consequences.

As a parent, I share these concerns. Children experiencing gender dysphoria deserve support, but subjecting them to irreversible medical procedures at a young age raises ethical and medical questions that cannot be ignored.

President Donald Trump sits at the Resolute Desk, where he signed executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on Jan. 30, 2025. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

The Growing Body of Evidence Against Early Transgender Interventions

New research is shedding light on the dangers and uncertainties surrounding transgender treatments for minors. A major study, the Cass Review, raised critical concerns about the effectiveness and risks of medical transition for young people.

“For the majority of young people, a medical pathway may not be the best way to manage their gender-related distress,” the review states. Additionally, the report highlights the lack of solid evidence supporting early puberty blockers, noting that “the rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health.”

Furthermore, the review acknowledges the difficulty in determining which young individuals will maintain a transgender identity into adulthood. This uncertainty raises questions about whether these treatments should be widely available to minors when the long-term consequences remain unknown.

The Shift in Global Medical Approaches

Protesters demonstrated outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 4, 2024, as justices considered states’ ability to prevent transgender adolescents from using puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Megan Smith/USA TODAY

While the U.S. has been a battleground for transgender medical policies, other countries have started to take a more cautious approach. Nations such as Finland and Norway have significantly tightened their regulations, recognizing that transitioning treatments for minors require more comprehensive studies and safeguards.

This shift signals a growing awareness that rushing into medical interventions without fully understanding their implications could have long-term consequences for young patients.

The Politicization of Transgender Medicine

Protesters against gender transition treatments and surgeries on minors rally in Boston in 2022. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

The debate over transgender medical care has become a political flashpoint. One of the most striking examples is the case of Dr. Ethan Haim. In 2022, Haim exposed a Texas hospital for continuing gender transition treatments for minors despite publicly stating otherwise.

His whistleblowing led to criminal charges under HIPAA laws, but after Trump’s return to office, the Justice Department dismissed the charges. Haim’s case illustrates how deeply politicized the issue has become, with some arguing that conservative voices are being silenced for questioning the prevailing narrative.

A Controversial Issue That Shouldn’t Be Partisan

The debate over transgender medical treatments for minors should not be reduced to a left-versus-right issue. The ethical concerns at stake go beyond politics. With growing medical research highlighting the uncertainties of these treatments, it is time to reconsider whether minors should be allowed to make such life-altering medical decisions.

Thanks to the work of experts like Dr. Hilary Cass, journalists like Abigail Shrier, and whistleblowers like Dr. Ethan Haim, the conversation about transgender medical care is shifting. Trump’s decision to restrict these treatments may prove to be a turning point in protecting young people from irreversible medical choices made too soon.

As this debate continues, one thing remains clear: children struggling with gender identity need support, guidance, and thorough medical evaluation—not rushed interventions that could change their lives forever.