1. Intersex – this is the condition whereby a person is born with genitals that make it unclear as to whether they are female or male (Kessler, 1990, p. 3). The child could have been born with both female and male sex organs or genitals that are different to their chromosomal sex (Fausto-Sterling, 2000, p. 1)
2. The three factors that have shaped attitudes to the management of intersexuality are:
a) The remarkable improvement in surgical techniques and endocrinology. Surgical technique advancements have allowed genitals such as the female ones to be constructed to the extent that they just like natural ones. The application of hormones exogenously have allowed the growth of micro penises (Kessler, 1990, p. 6). However access to this surgery …show more content…
This has led to the gender assignment being viewed as problematic as they argued that the role of functional private parts (Kessler, 1990, p. 6). c) The introduction of gender identity by psychological theorists. This is the sense of oneself if they feel that they are female or male not having been pressurized by the concept of gender roles (Kessler, 1990, p. 6). This is different to the more rigid concept of gender roles which refers to the more cultural expectations of one’s behaviour for males or females (Kessler, 1990, p. …show more content…
Weighing the pros and cons of the management of intersexuality, I think that it is necessary. This is because it would be easier for the child to fit into society and adjust as they would be accepted by others in society and not constantly have to face discrimination. For instance according to Money, psychological consequences should be avoided whilst the child is still young rather to wait till they are older. For instance an examples is given that it may be hard for an adult male to have a smaller penis rather than the average which could bruise their self -esteem as a man. Therefore it would appear to be wiser if the infant is assigned to the female gender at an early stage (Kessler, 1990, p. 12). Secondly it would be less stressful on the parents and their interaction with the child as they would have an idea of what sex their child is.
4. Kessler’s work accords with my ideas about the relationship between sex and gender. To begin with, I agree with the fact that gender is an example of a socially constructed concept. This is usually judged by the person’s sex. For instance a person with male sex organs is expected to take up his role in society as a man; likewise for females. I also think that sex does not necessarily determine a person’s gender as the way they feel can sometimes not correlate with their
2. The three factors that have shaped attitudes to the management of intersexuality are:
a) The remarkable improvement in surgical techniques and endocrinology. Surgical technique advancements have allowed genitals such as the female ones to be constructed to the extent that they just like natural ones. The application of hormones exogenously have allowed the growth of micro penises (Kessler, 1990, p. 6). However access to this surgery …show more content…
This has led to the gender assignment being viewed as problematic as they argued that the role of functional private parts (Kessler, 1990, p. 6). c) The introduction of gender identity by psychological theorists. This is the sense of oneself if they feel that they are female or male not having been pressurized by the concept of gender roles (Kessler, 1990, p. 6). This is different to the more rigid concept of gender roles which refers to the more cultural expectations of one’s behaviour for males or females (Kessler, 1990, p. …show more content…
Weighing the pros and cons of the management of intersexuality, I think that it is necessary. This is because it would be easier for the child to fit into society and adjust as they would be accepted by others in society and not constantly have to face discrimination. For instance according to Money, psychological consequences should be avoided whilst the child is still young rather to wait till they are older. For instance an examples is given that it may be hard for an adult male to have a smaller penis rather than the average which could bruise their self -esteem as a man. Therefore it would appear to be wiser if the infant is assigned to the female gender at an early stage (Kessler, 1990, p. 12). Secondly it would be less stressful on the parents and their interaction with the child as they would have an idea of what sex their child is.
4. Kessler’s work accords with my ideas about the relationship between sex and gender. To begin with, I agree with the fact that gender is an example of a socially constructed concept. This is usually judged by the person’s sex. For instance a person with male sex organs is expected to take up his role in society as a man; likewise for females. I also think that sex does not necessarily determine a person’s gender as the way they feel can sometimes not correlate with their