The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Lecturer’s ‘abuse’ remarks slammed
A Dundee lecturer has been criticised for claiming proposals to make it easier for children to choose their own gender amount to “state-sponsored child abuse”.
Dr Stuart Waiton, a sociologist at Abertay University, made the comments in response to a Scottish Government consultation on measures that would allow young people to be legally recognised as male, female or non binary.
At present, people have to provide medical evidence and live in an acquired gender for two years in order to seek legal recognition.
The proposed changes would allow individuals aged 16 and over to choose their gender by self-declaration.
The consultation paper also suggests children as young as 12 could ask a solicitor, or another responsible adult, to make a declaration on their behalf.
Dr Waiton questioned the wisdom of putting such life-changing decisions in the hands of young children.
“In a liberal society, it is up to individuals to make decisions about their lives for themselves but this does not mean that we should be cheering on this culture of narcissism,” he said.
“Eighteen-year-olds can do what they like with their bodies. But for a government to suggest that 12-year-olds, immature young people, who don’t have the ‘right’ to go to bed when they want, let alone anything else, can have gender reassignment should be seen as a form of state sponsored child abuse.
“Twelve year-olds are children. That we are considering giving them a choice of this magnitude at such a young age simply demonstrates the extent to which we are losing our sense of adulthood and maturity.”
However, his comments were dismissed by Dundee City Council’s equalities spokesperson, Gregor Murray.
The Dundee children and families services convener said: “Dr Waiton says that young people may be confused, but it appears he is the confused one, as he is rallying against something that is not being proposed here.
“Clinical decisions will continue to be made by medical professionals within the NHS.
“We do not believe that it is ‘narcissism’ to be referred to with the correct pronouns, we believe it is basic human decency.”