Published September 12, 2024.
To the editor,
I’m writing to a specific cross-section of the Sentinel’s readership: Conor, Sidney, and Alexis—the three Monadnock-area teenagers who read letters to the editor of the Sentinel. For brevity, I will address you by the initialism, “CSA.”
CSA, as your new school year begins, I want to encourage you to stay true to two core principles that apply to teens all over the world: “Question authority,” and “Think independently.” Specifically, on the “hot-button” issue of gender change, you should question the advice you receive from those who endorse it.
Why? I believe that advocates for medical gender change largely fit within three categories: the mistaken, the misguided, or the mercenary.
Who are the mistaken? They are the ones who uncritically bow to advice from “experts” who promote gender change. CSA, as a person who has both master’s and doctorate degrees, I know well that studies and statistics can be manipulated to support any agenda whatsoever. Much dishonesty exists in academia, and the studied opinions of “experts” should always be critically examined rather than naively and blindly accepted.
Who are the misguided? Those who, in their efforts to appear as enlightened civil rights advocates, promote extreme transgender medical practices such as the use of puberty-blocking drugs and irreversible surgical procedures. Misguided people can be ignorant; or worse, guilty of virtue-signaling to make themselves popular and respected by others. Virtue-signaling is really just a form of self-promotion.
And who are the mercenary? Those who selfishly profit from leading teens down the dark road of irreversible gender change. This category includes many psychiatrists, surgeons, and hospitals who make money off the backs of vulnerable teens going through the emotional and physical challenges of puberty. Gender reassignment surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars. CSA—the adage “follow the money” will serve you well as you become adults, and enable you to better grasp some people’s ulterior motives. Appearances can be very deceiving.
Question authority, think independently, and have a wonderful school year ahead.
Thomas Savastano
Keene
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