In the debate on childhood transition , one of the largest points of contention has been whether a minor’s wishes should override parental opposition. And, indeed, whether parents have a right to be informed about the process at all.

On Monday, a federal appeals court ruled that a group of parents couldn’t challenge a Maryland school district’s policy regarding children who declare themselves to be transgender . The policy requires school employees to support a child’s preferred name, pronouns, and bathroom access and bars employees from disclosing these plans to parents without the child’s consent.

Gender ideology owes much of its success to the isolation of vulnerable children in every area of life. Children are currently being treated as though they have an equivalent mental capacity to adults, and this presumed ability to make sound choices autonomously should not be questioned.

These are not, however, benign decisions; in addition to potentially exacerbating gender confusion, failing to challenge a child’s beliefs about being transgender or "non-binary" can have implications for their future well-being in more ways than one. As my readers are likely already aware, a social transition isn’t without consequence and has been shown by research to be associated with medical transition.

As well, parents deserve to know if their child is being granted access to single-sex spaces that would otherwise be exclusively used by members of the opposite sex. For example, when it comes to bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations on field trips, a girl using boys’ facilities will be placing herself at greater risk. I also think all parents at a school deserve to know if a male student is being allowed to use facilities designated for girls.

Keeping secrets from parents is a hallmark sign of predatory grooming. This isn’t to say that personnel abiding by these policies are doing so with the goal of sexually abusing children, but the process of excluding parents from important decision-making shouldn’t be promoted by our society as healthy or safe.

Last week, the New College of Florida announced it would be defunding its gender studies program. Spearheaded by trustee Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, New College’s recent transformation should be emulated by every university and applauded by anyone in favor of truth and evidence. As our educational system continues to be overrun by gender zealotry, we should seek to excavate the rot at its root.