C.P. Hoffman, senior policy counsel for the National Center for Transgender Equality, told PolitiFact that cases like Jennings are not common.
"Even when a minor has parental support for their transition, transition-related surgeries are not typically performed prior to the age of 18," Hoffman said. "While there are some reports of transgender teens between the ages of 16 and 18 receiving transition-related surgical care, these cases are exceedingly rare and based on the specific medical needs of the teen."
The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends what it terms a "gender-affirmative care model" for prepubescent children experiencing gender dysphoria — distress people may experience because of the discrepancy between their
gender identity and the sex assigned to them at birth. Gender-affirmative care is oriented toward understanding and appreciating a child's gender identity rather than providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgery.
"Before any physical interventions are considered for adolescents, extensive exploration of psychological, family and social issues should be undertaken," the WPATH guideline reads.