Authors: Cavvea, B, S., Byrne, M, L & Moore, J, K.

Date of publication: 2024

Journal: Centre for Open Science



Summary: This paper argues that requiring young people to be 25 before they are able to make independent decisions about gender-affirming care is not only arbitrary and disempowering, but that it in fact has no scientific basis.



Neuroscientific research does not provide a clear consensus on the age at which a brain is considered “fully developed” or “mature”. Brain development is highly individualised and is dependent on not only biological factors, but also social and cultural factors. The authors report that whilst a young person’s brain may continue to change and develop into their twenties, this does not mean that they are not already sufficiently mature to make sound medical decisions at an earlier age. Adolescence does not automatically equal risky or unwise behaviour and research has shown that from around 14-years old, teens are capable of reasoning, understanding and making informed decisions in clinical settings, similar to that of an adult.



The authors highlight that denying or delaying a young person’s access to gender-affirming care is not only infantilizing but can also present a risk to their mental health. The paper goes on to conclude that each case should be considered individually based on the young person’s wishes, beliefs, desires and competencies rather than on an arbitrary age marker.



You can read the full study here