In recent years, the incidence of gender identity disorder (gender dysphoria) among young people hasincreased worldwide. The suffering of young people is great, but the causes of this trend are unclear and raise difficult questions about how to respond compassionately, ethically and effectively. Many wish to assert their right to legal recognition of their gender or to gender reassignment, which creates many dilemmas for canon law. Expert studies recommend watchful waiting together with counselling, while some authors argue that medical procedures are necessary and that the right to legal recognition of sex or gender reassignment must be respected. The sharp rise in the use of hormones and sex operations in young people is therefore at the centre of a heated debate, causing uncertainty among lawyers, canonists, parents and doctors about what is best. This article aimsto present the most pressing dilemmas of canon law regarding gender dysphoria.
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