In the West we live in a society that pays homage to youth. Youth culture is pervasive - it is paid close attention to - and people strive to stay young by whatever means they can. I don't need to list all the cosmetic ways that this feat is attempted (even if the goal is ultimately defeated) nor the manner in which appeals to youthfulness carry endlessly positive promises for all who seek it out.

But that doesn't mean that young people, by virtue of their mastery of all things technological and a 'liberated' outlook possess wisdom or self-knowledge. It doesn't mean that they are mature, a process that usually develops through life's experiences, both good and bad. There have always been exceptions to this rule, of course, but you know what I mean.

It was fairly natural up till now to let competent adults run things and let young people get on with learning the ropes of life. It was a given that teenagers, in particular, went though developmental changes that affected their bodies and minds and consequently their feelings and opinions about themselves and the world. Further, that we should listen to them, acknowledge their feelings and then let them get on with the daily grind, knowing that odd or wayward feelings often reverted to the norm after a few months.

That was my experience as a school teacher when students would approach me (and other trusted teachers) in private to talk about their scary feelings about their bodies and emotions. I would listen, acknowledge what they were saying and tell them to sit with (ie. not push away) whatever was bothering them. 'Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling without any self-judgement,' I would add, and then see whether a few months passing made a difference.

All of these students self-righted themselves over time and went on to become mature adults. Today we are apparently facing a gender identity crisis with teen children and some who are even younger. My fear is that 'experts' are pushing them in a direction that they will deeply regret in the future. There is an abrogation of responsibility in this - allowing immature humans to make life-changing mature decisions.

I realise that whilst biological sex is determined, gender exists more on a spectrum. But the job of adults is to protect the young, not hand over the keys to everything, all at once. When I tell my wife about it, she rolls her eyes in disbelief, as if all foreigners are crazy.