Part of “parental rights” is the right of parents to raise their kids without interference from the state, which is distinct from rights “over” children. For example, investigating parents of trans kids for being affirming is also a violation of parental rights. It’s a double edged sword.

It is true that investigating parents who are NOT abusing their children’s right to self-determination is a violation of a parent’s obligations to respect and raise their child. BUT your formulation is not one I would adopt.

The thing is, parents who're affirming of their trans kids are typically affirming of their own children, not because they think they have a right to control their child's existence, but because they think their children have the right to self-direction and it's their responsibility to protect that.

Parents don't have that right, their children are also members of our society which entitles them, philosophically at least, to our collective protection and care. The rights by which trans affirming parents are in the clear is the individual rights of their child not their own parental rights.

and yet somehow i doubt any of the "parental rights" voices that people pay attention to are going to bring that up as an example of a violation