It's a Girl? An Examination of Intersex Management

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Intersex, Biology, Genetics, Gender

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

A person may be identified as intersexual if either their genital phenotype is inconsistent with the sex chromosomes of their genotype, or if their genitalia are ambiguous. As the medical community has gained authority in social respects, it has developed management strategies to address the 'emergency' of intersex births. Since the 1950's, the management style adopted a paternalistic approach shrouded in secrecy with sex-assignment centered on phallus adequacy and supported by surgical construction of appropriate genitalia. Sharp contrast exists between the earlier 'optimal gender' theory and the emerging 'patient oriented' care and is most clearly seen in the perceived urgency of the situation; perceived urgency directs medical management. Patient centered care focuses on the specific conditions resulting in intersex and sex hormone production utilizing an understanding of embryological development, detailed physical examinations, internal imaging, the determination of hormone response, and long-term review to orient sexassignment in the intersex neonate or infant. Some intersex advocates present personal accounts of desperate dissatisfaction, highlighting the medical mismanagement of intersex and maintenance of the sexbinary.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS