In ""Cultural Practice" or "Reconstructive Surgery"?", Cheryl Chase combined both political, social, personal, and ethical issues to create such an interesting piece. Chase, at first, described a bit about the social and medical views of normative bodies and intersexuality in America, but compared it to practices that take place in other places of the world. In her description of hermaphrodites she clearly redefines what many Americans see as being normal in terms of sexuality. Many times people simplify sexuality into two categories, male and female, and Chase clearly states that this binary of physical sex can no longer be distinguished as easily. The idea of sex and sexuality, along with gender, it certainly changing, and Chase does a good job in describing the sentiment behind the reality of intersex children and adults.
I was most interested by Chase's discussion of medical doctors and professionals who share a very unique, and often prestigious, opinion of themselves, their work, and status in society. While Chase seems almost offended by the ease with which they make determinations and recommend surgeries, many of these doctors view themselves as saviors for both the intersexual child and its parent(s). Chase largely places blame on the doctors since they are the ones continually reinforcing the inclinations for these surgeries and policing the boundaries that determine what exactly makes a male and/or a female. Additionally, I was compelled by Chase's discussion concerning female genital mutilation versus intersexual genital mutilation, and her way of trying to recognize the lack of feminist critique. I had never really realized that doctors choose to surgically redefine intersexual children as females, as opposed to males. Once I made this realization I, too, was simply surprised that IGM has not received more attention in the US. I almost felt as though Chase was pointing out to the victimization of females and, although, we have only been in the class for a short time, we have clearly already seen this. We saw how females were almost victimized in the Lyriana commercial for their sexual problems and most definitely victimized in Schiebinger's discussion of the evolution of ideas concerning the sperm, egg, and respective roles.
I would be interested in learning more about the ISNA towards the end of the semester to see what kind of progress they are making in trying to change the treatment of intersex infants and the evolution of this new culture of support.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I couldn't agree more with your experience, being almost identical to mine. I am also interested in why this isn't an issue that more people talk about and how seems to be pushed under the rug even in such a modern world.
As I said in class, it seems almost impossible that one day we could accept a mixed gender, or even have more than just two genders. I feel terrible for those who have to go through this, and am extremely disappointed in the medical field for complicating these issues. It seems like the majority of the time the case isn't about a health issue, but rather a psychological/social issue.
I would really hope that more people who are confronted with this situation consult the proper authority and get all of the information they deserve to make such a huge decision. I too, agree with KS and think that it would be great to follow up on throughout the semester and see how their efforts are holding up. By far some of the most interesting articles I have ever read in college.
I was also struck by a lot of these same issues. It’s interesting that the medical community can suggest genital mutilation with such “ease” as you say while at the same time shrouding the process in mystery and fear. The woman from the film accounts her experience with her intersex baby saying that doctors approached her while she was alone and vulnerable. Furthermore they told her that her baby would have cancer if she did not get surgery. The woman was offered no support group and was even told that she was the only one to whom this had happened. This environment of fear that the doctors created as well as the ease of which they present the “solution” of surgery combine make it virtually impossible for an alone and scared mother to make any kind of decision regarding her baby at all, much less a decision that clearly creates severe emotional distress for the intersex individual.
This attitude that the medical community has towards the intersex baby is reflected in the societal stigma associated with these individuals. Intersex babies are as you say not “what many Americans see as being normal in terms of sexuality.” However, Chase urges the reader to understand that these babies are also not normal in what society thinks about gender. In fact, these babies cannot be confined to the normal standard of the binary gender system because they are not in fact simply male or simply female. Thus, sexuality cannot be defined in terms of gender.
What interesting thoughts here. Might I suggest that you all take a look at the calendar and attend the film "One in 2000" that will be on campus on Feb. 6. It's on the class calendar. One of the people in the film and the director will be there.
One of the things we are trying to question in this class is, what is normal? Who gets to decide? How do doctors determine who has normal genitals and who doesn't? The historical presence of intersex individuals through out history challenges the idea that they are "abnormal." I'm eager to hear what you think of the film presentation.
I definitely agree that ISNA needs to receive more attention. It is very unfortunate that in today's society organizations like this are not given much attention. I totally sympathize for the parents of intersex children because they are not at all educated by their doctors about ALL of the options they have. They can only go by what the doctor suggests because unfortunately many people are not educated about intersex individuals. As with all things that are considered abnormal in our society, we are conditioned to fix it. That is one way in which our society is flawed.
I also found Chase's experience compelling. It's a lot different to hear someone's personal experience than a second hand account. Chase really used her experience to make this issue hit home for the readers. We all know that this condition occurs, but how many of us really know intersex people. It is just something that is not talked about, and for Chase to share her experience, it makes it real. Intersexuality is something that should not be overlooked and "fixed" by doctors, but something that deserves more respect and consideration.
Post a Comment