The Green Party’s spokesperson Daniel Helldén wants to further lower the age for changing legal gender – from the recently set 16 years old to 12. The proposal has sparked strong reactions. Critics question whether children at that age have the maturity needed to make such a decision about gender identity, especially since the age limits for many other, perhaps less life-altering, decisions are significantly higher.

It is Bulletin that brings attention to a statement from Green Party spokesperson Daniel Helldén’s short interview with influencer Christian Skogsgårdh on Instagram. There, Helldén answers several quick questions on topics such as fuel prices, nuclear weapons – and legal gender.

When asked why children as young as twelve should be able to change their legal gender, the Green Party spokesperson replies that it should be possible, but with the caveat that it should require parental approval. The interviewer objects, questioning whether a child at that age is mentally mature enough for such a decision. Helldén dismisses the objection.

– Because at that age, you can realize what gender you are, in other words, what you feel you are, he says.

Wants to go further than the new law

The statement means that Helldén wants to go significantly further than the new legal regulation about changing legal gender, which has already been the subject of comprehensive political debate. It came into force on July 1 last year and means that anyone who has turned 16 can apply to change their legal gender.

For those between 16 and 18, parental approval is required. Even the 16-year limit met criticism when the law was adopted. Opponents argued that the issue of legal gender should be reserved for adulthood and that the legal age of 18 would be a more natural boundary.

Instead, Helldén’s statement would shift the age limit another four years downward, to include children still in middle school or just starting junior high. These are ages where parents often wish to shield their children more from adult topics, not open the door to pressing them to take a stand on such matters.

@borasnoje The Green Party wants the age limit for legal gender to be reduced to 12 with parental permission. #valet #politik #sverige #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – Borås Nöje

The issue of children and gender identity has simultaneously become increasingly debated. Among other things, the discussion has revolved around how schools, healthcare, and LGBTQ+ organizations should relate to minors experiencing gender dysphoria, and how much caution should be exercised while children are still undergoing physical and psychological development.

Critics have particularly warned that children and young people with mental health issues or neuropsychiatric conditions may have their problems interpreted too quickly through a gender identity lens. Supporters of greater opportunity to change legal gender, on the other hand, emphasize that legal gender and medical treatment are separate matters, and that a change in the population register does not in itself involve any medical intervention.

Compares with alcohol and energy drinks

The reactions to Helldén’s statement have been extensive. Bulletin highlights several comments where users compare such a low age limit for legal gender change to other age restrictions set by society precisely due to youth maturity.

One commentator notes:

“You can’t buy an energy drink until you’re 15. But changing gender at 12 is fine.”

Another compares with much higher legal ages for things considered adult decisions:

“But you have to be 18 to get married, and 20 to buy wine.”

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The comparisons touch on the key principle often cited by critics – if society believes children need protection through age limits in a number of areas, why should a decision about legal gender be possible already at the age of twelve?

“Children should be allowed to be children”

Several reactions also focus directly on children’s ability to grasp the consequences of decisions that may greatly impact their identity.

“Honestly, when you’re 12, you can’t make life-altering choices,” writes one user.

Another takes the reasoning further:

“Should you also be able to consider yourself ‘an adult’ then? When you’re 12?”

Another commenter distinguishes between children’s freedom of expression and the question of formally changing legal gender:

“You can wear girls’ clothes and feel like a girl if you’re a boy, likewise if you’re a girl, but you can’t change gender.”

The perhaps most categorical reaction is directed against what the commenter perceives as the adult world introducing questions about gender identity far too early in children’s lives:

“Leave the kids alone! Children should be allowed to be children!”

Helldén himself also faces harsh criticism. “Is he completely clueless?” writes another user.

Also wants to see more expensive fuel

The gender issue is not the only statement from the Green Party spokesperson that stands out in the short interview. Helldén also says that fuel prices will rise if he gets his way, and that in his opinion, they need to. The Green Party promises a minimum of six kronor more per liter in their campaign, but the rhetoric indicates they are open for even more.

READ ALSO: The Green Party’s promises: No nuclear power, more immigration, and higher taxes

When asked about nuclear weapons, he says at the same time that he does not want Sweden to have such weapons on Swedish territory. That is an issue where the Green Party likely enjoys somewhat broader public support.

But it is the statement that already 12-year-old children should be able to change their legal gender that has received by far the most attention – and once again brings up the question of where society should draw the line between children’s autonomy and the adult world’s responsibility to protect minors from decisions they may still be too young to fully understand.