Prominent mental health organizations in the United States have taken a bold stance in advocating for transgender ideology, demanding that counselors unequivocally support and affirm feelings of gender dysphoria in their patients. This movement is spearheaded by influential bodies like the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), boasting a membership of 43,000 counselors and certified trainers nationwide. Their recent directive calls for the unwavering promotion of affirmation for individuals identifying as transgender, urging schools to adopt these principles.
ASCA’s advocacy extends to recommending the usage of chosen or affirmed names on student records, irrespective of legal name changes. They emphasize the importance of staff members addressing students by their affirmed names, supporting policies granting access to facilities matching students’ gender identity, such as bathrooms and locker rooms. This push for inclusivity, however, has stirred concern among conservative circles, igniting debates over its implications for parental involvement and the well-being of the children involved.
January Littlejohn, a Patient Advocate for Do No Harm, expresses apprehension, asserting that school counselors are being trained to solely affirm students’ transgender identities without considering co-occurring mental health issues or involving parents in the process. This approach, she argues, might not serve the best interests of the child or foster healthy parent-child relationships.
Not limited to the ASCA, other counseling organizations like the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) have also aligned with transgender ideology. The NBCC, boasting a substantial membership across various countries, emphasizes counselors’ sensitivity to gender orientation and issues, including support for gender-affirming care. This alignment with transgender ideology has caused rifts, especially concerning medical interventions like sex-change operations and the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapy on minors.
While American counseling bodies continue their advocacy for transgender inclusivity in schools, health officials in several European countries have taken a different stance. In nations like the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway, efforts have been made to restrict the use of certain transgender-related medical interventions on minors. European health systems advocate for a cautious approach, emphasizing psychotherapy as the primary method and cautioning against immediate affirmation of a child’s gender distress.
This divide in approaches highlights a significant ideological schism in addressing transgender issues, with American organizations leaning toward swift affirmation while European counterparts favor a more measured and cautious approach, particularly concerning minors. The debate surrounding transgender ideology remains a contentious issue, grappling with considerations of mental health, parental involvement, and societal implications.