Ethical Issues in the Treatment of Children

It is consistent with contemporary community standards and accepted professional ethics for psychologists to provide treatment for children who exhibit maladaptive behavior, including gender dysphoria. We do not believe it possible to obtain proper consent from the child which truly satisfies the legal criteria of being informed and competent. Although some critics allege that it is inappropriate for parents or professional to impose their standards on children, there seems no more appropriate reference group to make the social value judgment than the parent in consultation with professionals who are, in turn, sensitive to the broader social codes and moral expectations of the community. To distinguish psychological treatment from other forms of intervention for children (such as school attendance, dental care, and medical treatment) would imply that psychological intervention should follow different ethical standards, a conclusion we reject. All professions have the same ethical obligation to guarantee to children a foundation for happy and productive lives, whether it be through appropriate educational, psychological, medical, or dental intervention.