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I agree whole heartedly with your post from the logical standpoint. Where I differ a bit stems from emotion. I, like you, teach my children that strength comes from within. Within ones self, family, and most importantly, faith in God. In attempt to convince them (and sometimes even myself) I instill old adages such as, "Sticks and stones may break my bones..." Not to mention The Golden Rule.
Unfortunately for everyone, not all parents take the time or effort to give the same values to their own children. I agree there needs to be wiggle room for ignorant comments and misguided children. There is a huge difference, however, in someone calling my daughter "dumb," versus a child my daughter's age letting her peers know, "She has a penis."
That type of insult or teasing is something not all parents could imagine. Not everyone has dealt with the grief of losing "a son," to a daughter with malformed genitals. If I understand your situation correctly, your wife took Dex while carrying your daughter. I would then assume she does not look like a girl with a penis. This would have made my outlook on surgery completely different. If I thought my daughter could go swimming, sit like little girls sit in a skirt and tights, and change into her sports clothes in a locker room without her genitals being visible under a bathing suit or panties I would have certainly let her have a voice in the decision. In extreme cases, like ours, you weigh medical uncertainty against almost certain emotional harm. I think the emotional harm is what Lisa is experiencing now with her daughter.
I really respect your opinions. You seem to be a great Christian leader for your family, and you truly work wonders within the CAH community by providing this message board. I'm not sure, however, you really understand the gravity of teasing, especially about a topic that is taboo to begin with. Maybe it would hit closer to home if you could imagine your daughter viralized to the point of appearing male?
