What is it to be normal?

I feel like the title of my blog post this week is a very open-ended Q+A. Our society has been asking this question for generations and our answers to it always very. Normalcy is very hard to define (even right now I can't think about a definition in my head for this term). People say they are "normal" but what is normal can be seen as different to anyone in our society. A certain clip comes to my mind when I think of normal/normalcy. Its a clip from one of my fave shows, Spongebob! Spongebob watches a video from Squidward about a "normal" life and Spongebob changes his lifestyle to be more "normal."

Our society judges people to fit these "norms" but its tough to say who is the "normal" one in society and who should be looked upon as a "leader of normalcy." I believe our society emphasizes too much on who is different and who is NOT normal. We need to cut our ties to this whole idea of "normalcy" and go back to worry about our own lives, not other's.

Below is a video about how to determine if you are "normal." I found it funny that people would actually watch this to see if they are normal. Well everyone is normal in their own way!!

~Chad S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L6yPKo6r54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb5F58OFTis

Education and Normality

The key to shifting the view of society when it comes to minority groups that we've discussed this semester (disabled, intersex, etc) is in education. Education is what shapes the ideology of society. The way in which topics are approached and ignored when educating the youth shape the way they view these topics. If something like intersex is thought to be taboo, then students will assume that something is wrong with it, which is why its not mentioned. If young people are taught that it is a natural occurrence at birth, they will be less likely to view it as negative. When it is approached as some sort of birth defect that must be corrected by surgery, they will look at intersex individuals as strange. The fact that these surgeries exist and are suggested to parents make it seem as if there is some kind of medical condition that needs correcting. Therefore, if we wish to eliminate prejudice and labeling people as 'abnormal' (and we should want this) we must stop being afraid to expose children to these facts.

The Issue With Holding Off On Education

Within the last few minutes of class we talked about what would be best for educating children about interesexual people. A few mentioned that it wouldn't be wise to teach in middle school because it would be a joke to a lot of the kids. Where I do somewhat agree with that I feel like holding off and exposing them at a a later time makes the issue even more alien. The earlier the better I see fit. If parents brought there children up with knowing about the diversity of people then I feel like having to learn about intersex in 9th grade Health class wont make it seem so weird. I feel like if we keep making it an issue then it will continue to be an issue. It is sort of like the topic of sex with children. Many believe it it best to hold off as long as you can before you talk to them about it but I think the children who get exposed to it at a early age don't encounter many questions or problems when they get older. Pushing the education back to say high school or even college means that less and less people will be able to hear it.  I wouldn't want the first time a person learns of intersex is on the birthing table at the hospital.

A Note on Intersex

Think about all the "Congrats it's a girl/boy" cards that will be sent this year. Think of all of the bathroom plates depicting a woman as someone in a dress and a man as someone who does not. Think of the most basic thing that defines our society, sex: male and female. Despite what we have learned about biology and intersex, most of the Western world continues to exist as two, man and woman. Perhaps it derives from our Christian background, that God created man, and when man became lonely He gave to man a female companion.

Regardless of where it began or why, I suppose my question is how do we change it? As a society, how would we be able to make things gender neutral? Unfortunately we love in a society governed by money. Historically, there are numerous examples of ignorance, oppression, and the will of the few in power in our country. Gender neutrality is perhaps a more recent conversation in our history. I would bet many politicians are not even fully aware of it. For there to be action there needs to be dialogue.

While have been conditioned to recognize humans as male or female, perhaps it is time to understand what it means to be "man" or "women" and come accept any other definitions out there.

Outside reactions to intersex

I had a friend of mine who went to Fredonia, who was intersex. We will call her Sammy to protect her name. Sammy was a man, or had masculine mannerisms,  when she first met her. But then she decided to try the female side, by trying new hormones and getting surgery, and she is happy with her body. Sammy decided to get the surgery so that she would have the female parts, instead of the male parts (she had ambiguous genitalia).

I was a little freaked out at first when she told me all of this before she had the surgery. But if I put that all aside, I really didn't care about that. I am still friends with Sammy, and I've seen many of her friends leave her because she started to become a woman, because apparently that started to scare people. I know that there are some people that change sexes, intersex or not, and some people get freaked out by it, and don't want to be with that person. I feel that any person, of any sex, should be able to live their lives, and not be shunned by people. It's sad to see that even society still is scared of gay couples and intersex beings. Times are changing, and some people need to get over those ideas.

In Response to "Being Comfortable With Yourself"

I don’t think that it is right for doctors to fully influence parents on making a decision on whether or not to have their child under go surgery for ambiguous genitalia. I think the doctors should be trained to inform parents about all of their options and about the pros and cons of each option. The final decision should be left to the parents, with no insight or opinion from the doctor. I think opinions and input from doctors on which option may be better or worse forces parents to make decisions that may potentially affect their children in a negative way in the future. I also think it should be an option, although not seen as a good idea because of the apparent struggle of the child, to perform no surgery until the child can make a reasonable decision for themselves. I think they should have the right to choose what they want with their lives, as when every person reaches a certain age they are granted their own decision making for themselves. Although it is seen as dangerous, or confusing for a child as they grow up, I don’t think surgery should be such a forced thing, I think it should be something postponed until the child grows older and can decide what they want for themselves. As for the surgery being dangerous or not as successful at an older age, sex changes are performed quite often and the technology and access to plastic surgeons today makes surgery at a later age a pretty good and successful option. As for the “horrors” or confusion the child may face as they grow up, I think it’s time for society to start accepting things as they are, we will never make progress if we don’t start somewhere. 

Intersexuality

On the discussion about intersexuality, I think young teens should be educated on the matter and not blinded by reality. Even though it may be uncomfortable for kids at that age, they may be introduced to an intersexed person at any point in their life. Even though a small percentage of the population develops or is born with ambiguous genitalia, it is better to be knowledgable about the different possibilities.  I personally have never heard the term ‘intersexuality’ specifically until this class. I have heard stories on T.V. about the possibility that individuals may not have a defined gender, based on their genitalia, but never really thought about it in regards to society and medicalization.  I think intersex should be accepted more openly in today’s society. We have been continuing to evolve and this is just a minor difference that does not necessarily hinder the person from normal sexual and reproductive functions. If intersex individuals feel comfortable  in their skin and  feel ‘normal’ then who is to say they are not?  I think that if children are taught the meaning behind intersexuality, then society can eventually grow and become more accepting and understanding.

 

-emothersell

"UN Condems 'Normalization' Surgeries of Intersex Children"

As we discussed the condition of intersex this week and the corrective surgeries that many individuals go through as children, I was thinking about the current position on things. I wasn't sure what is being enforced currently in hospitals, and wondering has activism contributed to changes regarding these corrective surgeries?

http://feminist.org/blog/index.php/2013/02/08/un-condemns-normalization-surgeries-of-intersex-children/
^I found this article "UN Condems "Normalization" Surgeries of Intersex Children" that was just published on February 8, 2013 (so, it's pretty recent). This blog article contains multiple links to click on concerning the issue, including a report from the United Nations that discusses surgeries on intersex individuals as problematic and therefore calls upon the states to, "repeal any law allowing intrusive and irreversible treatments  including forced genital-normalizing surgery, involuntary sterilization, unethical experimentation, medical display, 'reparative therapies, when enforced or administered without the free and informed consent of the person concerned."

Reading this made me realize that this issue is obviously not one of the past, unlike the doctor from the 20/20 special made it seem. It still needs attention and this article calls for attention from each area in the US to avoid situations such as that of Cheryl Chase. But, check the article out if you have time, its short and gets the point across, but has a bunch of links to more useful information on the subject.

Behavior Vs. Action

   Part of the discussion that we had regarding homosexuality encompassed what defines homosexuality.  Is it acting on sexual urge or just a stigmatized behavior?  I have a hard time believing that it's anything other than one's behavior.  So much emphasis is placed on behaviors and attitudes when discussing "homophobia."
   It also appears that once someone has been labeled as a "queer" that it stays with the forever.  A good example of this is the Bill Maher video we watched with the interview of the "converted gay."  Even though the man and his wife no longer engage in homosexual actions, Maher still regards them as homosexuals.  This supports the idea that homosexuality is determined by behavior instead of actions.  This also alludes to the idea that homosexuality is psychologically innate rather than a personal choice.
   I think, as a society, it is important that we dismiss these notions to resolve homophobia.  The fact that society labels homosexuals based on their behavior creates a stigma which instills homophobia within some individuals.  And it's difficult to explain this, but the existence of homophobia perpetuates further homophobia.  Overall, it's just crucial to discover a way to make everyone comfortable by dissolving stigmas.  What are your thoughts?

In the last few minutes of class we started talking about when should we educate children about intersex individuals. As an Early Childhood Dual major as well going off what Britney said, we are taught to as teacher be very gender neutral. As a future educator I personal believe that if we were teach about intersex individuals in grades 7 or 8 I think that the students would end up just joking around and not actually learning anything and most likely just become even more uncomfortable around these individuals. I remember health class in 7th and 8th grade and it was nothing that anyone took seriously. I think that 9th grade should be when the topic of intersex individuals is discusses and talked about, because that is when the information will actually be informative and help everyone to be comfortable. 

Being Comfortable with Yourself

A controversial topic based off of intersex is the rationale behind the doctor’s choice to perform surgery on a child that is born with ambiguous genitalia. These children do not have a choice when it comes to deciding what’s best for them and end up having to face reality in the distant future. From the reading, it was mentioned that a doctor decided on surgery because they would designate these children as a medical and social emergency. Because they would present problems on the norms of society, the doctors did not want to give the parents and child stress on having multiple variations in their sexual organs. Some individuals that grow up end up becoming satisfied with their own image and the decision cannot be reversed such as Hilda Viloria. There are other individuals like Cheryl Chase who are uncomfortable with whom they’ve been forced to become and show their dissatisfaction with the medical field. As stated before, the surgery is irreversible and therefore the person cannot change who they were supposed to be which isn’t necessarily fair.

Do you think doctors should be able to influence parents on surgery? Why/Why not?

Darren Pope

I thought yesterday's presentations were very thought provoking.  Hilda's story seemed very unique to me.  During her interview it became apparent that her parents did not treat her any differently as she was growing up.  I think it would have been beneficial to talk with her parents about their decision to not make her go through surgery.  The class seemed to believe that the surgery was not done to help the child but rather to comfort the parents.  Hilda led a seemingly normal life and did not have the "hurdles" that the doctor seemed to think she had.  A discussion with Hilda's parents would have answered questions about their decision and insight I think on how other parents of intersex children should raise their children.  I agree with the doctors statement that we aren't ready for another minority.  To be honest, we aren't.  Everyone may think we are, but if you look at the real world, not the Fredonia Campus society is not willing to welcome people that are different than them.  I'm not trying to say that what he was doing was right because it's obvious that Hilda turned out alright.  I don't know how to go about this situation of assimilating intersex people into being considered normal, but when the traditional social structure is threatened people act out in horrible ways.  
On our discussion of comfort levels, I find it almost hypocritical.  There is always going to be someone or some group of people that are not comfortable in society.  There is no way to accommodate everyone.  I think it would be great if the forms were changed to accommodate for intersex individuals but I don't know how far people can in making someone feel safe before making another group uncomfortable.  

Hijras

I was remembering parts of other classes I have taken, and those that have discussed the confining binary system we have. Within those classes we talked about Hijras and I wanted to discuss this interesting intersex. Hijras are born men biologically, but live as women. They take on feminine characteristics and put on feminine dress. Hijras are a third sex in parts of south Asia and they are accepted being that they are neither man, nor woman. Hijras often worship a mother goddess usually, and as a final stage to commitment to their Hijras community eliminate their genitalia. One of the parts of Hijras I find most interesting is that they often bless marriages and babies. Their blessing is seen as a good advantage in fertility interestingly enough.

http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2008/05/hijras-indian-changing-rights

This article talks about the Hijras and the struggles they have been going through in the modern era and how their rights are changing. Deepa in the article articulates in well in the first part when they say that Hijras are men biologically, but have the soul of a woman. It’s innate and they are not going to deny who they are. My question is then how would this kind of person be treated or seen in our society where even their blessing probably would not be valued?

Joan Welch

More on Intersex

There were a few things I was hoping to discuss in class that we were not able to, so I figured I would use them as my post for this week...

I was really interested in the comparison that Cheryl Chase made in her essay about female genital mutilation (FGM) in Africa and the surgeries that are done to intersex babies in the US. I agree with her and find it startling that people will recognize this as being abuse when it is done to young girls in other countries, yet they ignore (or are unaware of) the fact that it is done to intersex infants in the US. I think this further proves the point that many people were making during class today; it depends what is culturally the "norm." In Africa it is the norm for them to perform FGM, yet to us that is outrageous, cruel, and unnecessary. To us, however, having a two gender society is the norm, so doctors trying to "fix" intersex babies may seem appropriate to some.

Along with this, it also proves that more awareness and education is needed, as many of us also expressed in class. Perhaps people don't know that intersexuality is so prevalent, and that these surgeries can have negative, long-lasting effects once these babies become adults. Having specials like 20/20 air these issues is a start, but we need to do a lot more to educate people on these issues and to try to eliminate the "othering" of people who may not fit into our male/female world.

I also wanted to talk a little bit about the five-sex model in the Indonesian community from the clip I showed in class. I just thought this was so interesting and unique. Not just that they adopted a five-sex model, but that their belief system holds the thought that they need all five sexes in order to achieve balance in their community. The sexes that encompass both male and female attributes are even held in very high regard and thought of as the only ones who can communicate with the gods. This goes to show that other cultures function quite well even if their ideas of gender vary from our traditional male/female model. I think it's so interesting to think about how the US would be if we adopted this type of model, or the five-sex model suggested by Fausto-Sterling. I know it's a stretch, but I think we would be so much more accepting, and people would feel as though they could fully be themselves.

Another idea is to adopt what Kessler said (in Fausto-Sterling's piece) and try to stop distinguishing people's genders based off their genitalia. We know gender is constructed, and portrayed in many ways other than being in line with our biological parts. Yet we still use those parts as markers and our gender is assigned to us at birth, according to those parts. Perhaps it is not possible in our society to function any other way, but I think recognizing these differences, talking about them, and having task forces on our campus to try to make things more gender-neutral is a start. Perhaps we can move toward a gender-neutral society little by little, even if it starts with clothing, nursery colors, children's toys, and legal forms.

Educating Our Youth On Gender Issues

We talked about this briefly in our discussion today because we were running out of time, and I found that people were only talking about middle school and HS students when addressing the situation about when and what to discuss in schools. As an Early Childhood dual major I believe that the resolution of these issues we face everyday in our society begins early on. We talk a lot about gender neutral education in our early childhood classes, everything from toys, to books, to the language we use with our kids. I never really though about it, but our professors and cooperating teachers tell us to you the term friends or children, not boys and girls. Which I understood in terms of not saying 'guys', but I never really connected it to transgender & intersexuals. If you think about it, not saying boys and girls, not giving children books that have a girl playing a sterotypical 'girl' role and vice versa, you are opening their minds up and insisting that everyone is different. I find it so wrong that we have to decide on a time to appropriately 'start' educating kids on issues such as the ones we discussed in class (aside from sexual education). I think shaping children's minds and beating out what ideas and norms the media is inflicting upon them begins in early childhood. When a kid says 'purple' is a girl color, we are told to tell them that there is no such thing and every color can be loved by anyone, despite their gender. The big thing in early childhood education is sort of removing the stereotypes we often attach to any label you can think of. Of course this is not solely going to solve the problems we face, being that their parents have a huge impact on their developing ideologies and views, but it is an important start. A good example I have from my experience, occured during an internship I had this past summer. I worked in a daycare with children of American military service members, as well as children from Italian military service members. Not only could you see how these gender ideas that Americans put so much emphasis on, reflected in their children, but it was so interesting to compare that to the Italian children who were often in neutral colored clothes with haircuts that some Americans wouldn't consider giving their child if they were a boy or girl. How are we teaching our children to be sensitive to individuals who are deemed 'different' by society if we condition them to think these people are actually different, from the time they are born?

Intersex Presentation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv1yk2Va9qc

My artifact is a 20/20 clip about intersex, specifically a girl named Hilda Viloria. In the clip they tell the story of Hilda being born with an enlarged clitoris and how it affected her life starting as a child. Hilda did not have corrective surgery and is happy she didn’t. Her story is a positive one; ending with her embracing who she is and not hiding in the shadows and thinking she is abnormal. Also in the clip they interview a M.D, Kenneth Glassberg. He talks about how it is important for babies to get the reconstructive surgery because if they don’t they will have a more difficult life within the society we have today.  

I chose this clip as my artifact because it was a positive outlook on an intersexual individual. 20/20 was attempting to educate the public on a different side of the male/female gender connotation. Their isn’t just two type of sexes in this world, there’s never been; so as a whole we need to accommodate people for how they are born. The reason we have a hard time accepting that there are different people out there is because we are so stuck in our traditional ways.  Straying from tradition means everyone’s lives must change in one way or another, which I don’t personally see as a bad thing. It won’t cost people more money or physical effort; it would simply just ask to accept the diversity of this world. The doctors believe that “fixing” the problem at a very young age is the best because, based on how society is today, it will be easier for the child. I feel this is a huge authoritative push for a more “normal” society. They are taking away the child’s identity that they are born with and, in some cases, literally scaring them for life. I feel that in both of the readings the authors were pushing for society to change rather then the intersexual individuals.  It will defiantly be a long road of changing societies minds about the intersexual community but I think it one that needs to be addressed. America prides ourselves on freedom but they sweep under the rug all the issues that aren’t categorized as a general.  Because this problem, of not accepting, does not affect the majority of the population we need to have intersexual people and it’s supporters speaking up more on the issue. 

Questions:

                  1.  How do you think they portrayed intersexuality in this clip?

2.                              2.      In Sterling’s piece it states, “We calculated that for every 1,000 children born, 17 are intersexual in some form. That number is 1.7%.”  Because this world is set up in way in which we generalize people and their problems, do you think 1.7% is enough to grab say the government’s attention? 

3.                            3. Again in Sterling’s piece it states,“When a treatment team is presented with an infant who has ambiguous genitalia, the team could make a gender assignment solely on the basis of what made the best surgical sense. The physicians could then simply encourage the parents to raise the child according to the surgically assigned gender.” Do you think there should be a period of time where, if a baby is born with  ambiguous genitalia, parents and doctors should have to wait to see what traits the child show of gender?  Or should we as a society begin to see intersex  as something that doesn’t need to be fixed?

4.  In Chase’s piece it states, “ Healing is a process without end. The feeling of being utterly alone may be the most damaging part of what has been done to us.” What are the repercussions of doctors telling the families to keep the fact that their child had genital surgery a secret?

5.    Like most topics in this class, I think education and awareness is a big issue. Do you think we should be educating people more about the intersexual community at a younger age? Do you think that it would make a difference?