Comment: "Protecting" children

      From a Washington Post story about some states offering a shield to protect children from anti-trans laws:

 

Alabama state Rep. Wes Allen (R), who championed the state’s ban on gender-affirming health care, compared the law to others that ban minors from drinking alcohol or vaping.

For Ala. families with trans kids, a countdown to decide their futures

“This legislation is about protecting children from making decisions as children that their brains are not yet developed enough to understand,” he said. “Just as we do not allow children, even with parental permission, to drink alcohol or vape, we passed this legislation to protect children.”

     But, if those same children are displaying behavior that follows their apparent gender roles, they ARE developed enough to understand and can be encouraged?