Transgender kids don't begin their physical transition until they're teenagers.
The documentary illustrates the long, emotional process of transitioning. Several years of mental health treatment are required before taking the steps toward a physical transition if the person is 18 or younger. Because many trans individuals have to wait until after they hit puberty before they can begin taking hormone blockers, they often undergo a "social transition" beforehand, which may include using new pronouns, dressing like their desired gender, and changing their hairstyle.
"Transhood illustrates how difficult physically transitioning can be."
As we see in Jay's case (pictured above), who is 12 years old when he begins taking hormone blockers, it can be a difficult road. Aside from being painful — viewers see him in tears multiple times while receiving his injections — insurance doesn't always cover the treatments. During a particularly emotional scene, his mom breaks down in tears over the cost of a hormonal implant — which is about a month's worth of income for her — and is meant to take the place of his routine injections.
Transhood illustrates how difficult physically transitioning can be and shatters the misconception that gender confirmation surgery is the only important milestone in a transgender person's journey. The social transition as well as taking hormones are, in reality, hugely significant steps.