@Borat Sister,
Ah. I see what you're saying.
The following isn't really or necessarily my opinion, just musing.
I wonder why for a recent period of time (looks like from the 1930's) it was thought that anything had to be done to "fix" it.
Obviously intersex people have been born from the dawn of man. In other times though they might have been thought of as magical, special, "touched by God" etc.
Or, it might be that because seemingly human "imperfections" either from birth or acquired, could have been viewed in a neutral way. Small pox scars, injuries from farm and hunting accidents, may have been just viewed as part of what happens to you during life. I think people were more lenient as to what was considered "normal" Even today, in areas of the world where lack of resources puts corrections of many physical differences simply out of the question, it's not a big deal. They have more important things to think about. Even in Mexico, I have seen some muy guapos men and women married to someone who in a richer society would be less likely to be their partner.
Also, it seems a good amount of the time the infant looks totally like one gender, and the differences are internal, not showing up at all until puberty. Or maybe even not then. Sometimes I'm sure it's just a non problem.
Putting parents biases aside for a moment, the idea of consent with the child.
Could be as simple as letting the child be, and see what nature teaches them about themselves. If the child consistently refers to themselves as a boy in both words and actions before lets say school age, it's pretty apparant they are boy.
In important ways I see this as really different from a transgender person. There's similarities, but differences too. I don't know if the word "reassignment" even applies.
Of course then we put parents in the mix that always wanted a boy, or a girl. With some, it's just going to be an insurmountable problem because they want what they want. However, I like to think most parents realize that for their child to be happy, the child needs to be the guide in matters like this.
Finally (for now
) the idea and chance of the person changing their mind after (if needed) surgery/hormone therapy is done. Well honestly? None of us gets through this life without regrets. I think more specifically no one needs to be 2nd guessing what the persons feelings about perhaps regretable choices will be.
Most important to me, is realizing who these regrets belong to.
For instance, I cannot tell you the number of times I had been told in my life, with Great Authority that I would regret not having children.
If I could go back in time with my now life experiences, I would say "Maybe. But whose regret will be be?"
I get we want the best for those we love. But equally true is many people want what They think is the right thing for everyone else.
Trying to minimize all regrets, safeguarding others from some imperfect life, is doomed to failure.
