Transgender Children and Transitioning
After reading the required readings on transgender children, do you think that these children should be allowed to transition? Explain what you mean by transitioning. Transition involves a continuum of behaviors from change of name, change of gender identification, presenting in new identity, hormonal replacement or blockers, and change of external genitalia. In the past year, numerous states have passed legislation prohibiting parents from allowing their children to transition. these laws have made it a crime to use blockers, add hormones, and have genital reassignment surgery. Is you opinion, who should be making these decisions—-children, parents, doctors, or the state. Additional laws address children seeing people in drag, discussing any LGTBQ=+ issues in school, and prohibiting transgender women from competing in women’s sports. What are your thoughts on one of these issues?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Complexities of Allowing Transgender Children to Transition
The topic of transgender children and their ability to transition is a complex and sensitive issue that has sparked debates and discussions worldwide. Before delving into whether transgender children should be allowed to transition or not, it is important to understand what transitioning entails. Transitioning is a process that involves a continuum of behaviors aimed at aligning an individual’s gender identity with their assigned sex at birth. This process can include changing one’s name, gender identification, presentation, hormonal replacement therapy or blockers, and even external genitalia reconstruction.
Recently, several states have passed legislation that prohibits parents from allowing their children to transition. These laws criminalize the use of blockers, hormone therapy, and genital reassignment surgery for transgender minors. This raises the question of who should have the authority to make decisions regarding transitioning: children, parents, doctors, or the state.
In my opinion, the decision-making process regarding transgender children and their transition should involve multiple stakeholders, including the child, parents, doctors, and the state, in a collaborative and informed manner. Here’s an exploration of each stakeholder’s role:
Children: Transgender children should have a voice in the decision-making process based on their age and capacity for understanding. It is crucial to consider their feelings and desires when it comes to their own gender identity. However, the level of decision-making autonomy given to children should align with their cognitive and emotional development. Younger children may express a desire to transition but lack the capacity to fully comprehend the long-term implications. Older children and teenagers, in consultation with mental health professionals, can provide valuable insights into their own gender identity and help shape the decision-making process.
Parents: Parents play a vital role in supporting their transgender children and ensuring their well-being. They should be actively involved in the decision-making process, working closely with medical professionals who specialize in transgender healthcare. Parents can provide valuable insights into their child’s history, development, and overall support network. However, it is essential that parents approach this decision with open-mindedness, empathy, and a commitment to their child’s best interests.
Doctors: Medical professionals specializing in transgender healthcare should be involved in the decision-making process as trusted advisors. They can provide expertise on the medical aspects of transitioning, including the potential benefits and risks associated with various interventions such as hormone therapy or surgery. Doctors can conduct thorough assessments to determine if a child is ready for medical interventions and guide both parents and children through the process, ensuring informed consent and proper monitoring of the child’s physical and mental health.
The State: The role of the state in decision-making regarding transgender children’s transition is a contentious issue. While it is important for the state to protect the rights and well-being of all individuals, including transgender children, it should not overstep its boundaries by imposing blanket bans or criminalizing medical interventions without considering individual circumstances. The state should focus on creating comprehensive guidelines and regulations that prioritize the best interests of transgender minors while safeguarding their rights and ensuring appropriate medical oversight.
When it comes to laws addressing other related issues such as children seeing people in drag, discussing LGBTQ+ issues in school, or transgender women competing in women’s sports, it is essential to strike a balance between inclusivity and respecting individual rights. In these cases, it is crucial to foster environments that promote understanding, respect, and acceptance while considering the unique needs and challenges faced by transgender individuals.
In conclusion, the decision regarding whether transgender children should be allowed to transition is a complex one that should involve multiple stakeholders working collaboratively. By considering the perspectives of children, parents, doctors, and the state, we can strive to ensure that decisions are made based on informed consent, empathy, and a commitment to the well-being of transgender minors.
