Trent Gates from Washington DC made a decision at the age of 23-years-old to remove his penis and testicles to become what is known as a ‘Nullo.’ Trent states he has always felt different and that being completely smooth without genitals is how he wishes to live his life. Before I continue, as a libertarian – which I have come to realise is how to best capture my political and philosophical outlook on life – it is Trent’s right to make his own choice of his own free will. As a 45-year-old man, however, I cannot help feeling sad for this young man for his decision is one he cannot reverse.

One cannot help suspect that the rabid toxic-masculine sentiment being pumped into the cyber-sphere – and our greater culture atmosphere as well – has played a significant part in the confusion that young people feel towards their gender. The media dominance of terms such as ‘gender fluid’ and the belief that ‘gender is a social construct’, create more and more cases of gender dis-morphia by the day. The teenage years are a constant search for identity and these gender-fluid labels allow for young people to get quick and easy attention from their peers and family members due to the profound implications such a transition involves. Not to say people do not have genuine gender confusion or a genuine desire to go through a transformation process, or that they should not be allowed to do so. This was, is, and always will be a complex issue. But this young man, at an age when he’s still not fully formed his identity in this world (studies show males now reach full maturity at the of 26), has made a life-altering decision in part due to the culture of permissiveness and adulation around gender fluidity.

I feel so, so sorry for this boy – for that’s what he is. He obviously does not want kids at the age of 23 – but what about when he reaches 30? Or 40? Our tastes and preferences evolve as we age and I find myself disturbed by what is being pumped into the atmosphere and how it is influencing young people to make life-altering decisions that are irreversible. People regret the tattoo they get at 23, but at least they can reproduce if they so chose. Trent isn’t the only young person who is thinking about or undertaking irreversible decisions, cheered on by anti-male feminists and pro-gay movements, and he certainly won’t be the only one who comes to realise that their adulation and likes on Facebook are fleeting but the actions they undertake are permanent – not fluid.