Reconciling Medicine and Religion in Support of Children with Gender Dysphoria
Beth Sonneville, MS, MDiv., BCC, Staff Chaplain, Children's Mercy Hospital
Religion and medicine are often considered totally unrelated, adversaries and on occasion, the opposite side of the same coin. When it comes to pediatric healthcare, many cannot fathom the hospitalization of children without the availability of a chaplain for spiritual support especially when addressing quality of life versus sanctity of life concerns and end of life issues.
In the presence of an ethical dispute, many believe that religion and medical science would be at opposing ends of the conference table. The care of children experiencing gender dysphoria is one such issue where healthcare and religious tradition appear to stand in opposition. The national media represent good people of faith as those who oppose transgender individuals from utilizing public restrooms appropriate to their gender identity suggesting that biological gender, the gender indicated on a birth certificate, determines restroom protocol.
When presented with the symptoms of distress associated with gender dysphoria which include depression, substance abuse, high risk behavior, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts - are ordained ministers standing on the side of religious tradition over the well-being of a child when denouncing medical intervention? Are physicians playing god by altering the healthy bodies of minors? Are these youth who are requesting to alter their gender rebellious teenagers acting out or seeking attention?
Religion is typically a source of hope and strength during times of medical illness when individuals feel as though, even with medical intervention, their situation will not improve. Yet, religious leaders aren’t likely to be the first individuals with whom one experiencing gender dysphoria looks to when seeking support and affirmation. The growing number of gender clinics, many associated with pediatric hospitals, are proving to be a sanctuary of hope for children and adolescents who seek to synchronize their mind and body.
The aim of this presentation is to suggest that medicine and religion can interface in support of children and adolescence experiencing gender dysphoria. With healthcare chaplains leaning more toward evidence-based practices which falls in line with their interdisciplinary colleagues and physicians discovering the benefits of religious involvement in reducing stress and enhancing the benefits of healthcare treatment, both disciplines can find that collaboration with the other can prove beneficial. The principles of religious tradition combined with the emerging scientific knowledge of the medical community can result in strong advocacy for children experiencing gender dysphoria and their families.
Religion and medicine are often considered totally unrelated, adversaries and on occasion, the opposite side of the same coin. When it comes to pediatric healthcare, many cannot fathom the hospitalization of children without the availability of a chaplain for spiritual support especially when addressing quality of life versus sanctity of life concerns and end of life issues.
In the presence of an ethical dispute, many believe that religion and medical science would be at opposing ends of the conference table. The care of children experiencing gender dysphoria is one such issue where healthcare and religious tradition appear to stand in opposition. The national media represent good people of faith as those who oppose transgender individuals from utilizing public restrooms appropriate to their gender identity suggesting that biological gender, the gender indicated on a birth certificate, determines restroom protocol.
When presented with the symptoms of distress associated with gender dysphoria which include depression, substance abuse, high risk behavior, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts - are ordained ministers standing on the side of religious tradition over the well-being of a child when denouncing medical intervention? Are physicians playing god by altering the healthy bodies of minors? Are these youth who are requesting to alter their gender rebellious teenagers acting out or seeking attention?
Religion is typically a source of hope and strength during times of medical illness when individuals feel as though, even with medical intervention, their situation will not improve. Yet, religious leaders aren’t likely to be the first individuals with whom one experiencing gender dysphoria looks to when seeking support and affirmation. The growing number of gender clinics, many associated with pediatric hospitals, are proving to be a sanctuary of hope for children and adolescents who seek to synchronize their mind and body.
The aim of this presentation is to suggest that medicine and religion can interface in support of children and adolescence experiencing gender dysphoria. With healthcare chaplains leaning more toward evidence-based practices which falls in line with their interdisciplinary colleagues and physicians discovering the benefits of religious involvement in reducing stress and enhancing the benefits of healthcare treatment, both disciplines can find that collaboration with the other can prove beneficial. The principles of religious tradition combined with the emerging scientific knowledge of the medical community can result in strong advocacy for children experiencing gender dysphoria and their families.