The parents simply cannot get their sons’ therapists to deal with comorbidities: in particular, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and poor communicative and social skills, often coupled with an extremely high intelligence, which leaves parents unable to find schooling that can cater to their sons’ needs. In many cases, the boys have fixated on the prospect of sex reassignment, yet seem unwilling to engage in conversation about other options. When one son is confronted with some stubborn, genetic truth that he just can’t overturn, he answers that it is “mere biology” (a dismissive approach to gender dysphoria that the philosopher Kathleen Stock has discussed in some detail). And when parents ask their sons why they want to become women, the answers can be surreal. One reportedly describes testosterone as a toxin that’s destroying society; another says that he likes lesbian porn. The influence of friends, LGBT societies, and online fora is pervasive, but their sons usually treat any discussion of social contagion as heresy. Parents feel vilified. Many of the mothers and fathers have contemplated suicide.

Whew, this brought tears to my eyes thinking about how much pain I caused my mother. Our therapist took my side which gave me an enormous boost of confidence against my mom. If I'd had a dick, I would've gotten erections whenever my mom conceded. I felt sexually empowered which I don't think our therapist even addressed.

Are kids still sent to boarding schools? Parents used to send away kids they didn't want to raise. Why aren't these kids discarded?

My mom specifically sought out a "queer"-friendly high school for me to go to which, in hindsight, wasn't right for me. She was so broken and powerless, she did anything to make me happy. My dad was so supportive from the start. My parents didn't have backbones.