Abstract
The paper covers intersexual normalization through surgery, which is a major concern in modern society. In addition, the paper addresses various views of those supporting surgery for intersexual kids. The aim of the discussion is to illustrate the dangers of deciding intersexual kids’ gender.
Most newborn babies have a specific gender, however, some kids, have both genitalia, which makes it difficult to decide if they are male or female. Some parents opt for surgery to remove the least developed organ. The following paper argues against normalization surgery for intersexual kids.
Those who support the idea of surgical intervention for intersexual kids argue that it prevents them from social condemnation. Most people who were born with both organs and did not undergo surgery, face societal stereotypes and in extreme cases segregation from other members of the community. According to those who support normalization surgery, this should be a reason to undertake the surgery since it will prevent innocent kids from undergoing societal prejudice. However, this argument is invalid because parents should not decide what to do with their kids based on society’s views. Parents should not be forced to ensure surgery for intersexual kids since society does not have the moral authority to dictate ways parents will raise their kids.
Surgical determination of gender can have negative consequences since the kid has a hormonal imbalance, which resulted in the growth of both genitals. In addition, intersexual kids are deprived of an opportunity to select the gender they want to be when they are adults. Parents should not have a monopoly on decisions relating to the sexuality of the kids. They should wait until the kid is old enough to make the appropriate decision.
It is an injustice and immoral for the parents to decide the gender of intersexual kids since it is not necessary for one to be male or female. Society has set gender limits since any kid born must be either male or female. However, this should change to allow kids born with both genitalia to fit in the society without prejudice. Kids born with both genitalia should have their classification rather than forcing surgery to make them fit in the present classification.
Most of the parents who seek medical intervention for the kids with both genitalia do not know that the surgery is irreversible. This means that once the surgery is done, it is impossible to reverse the gender selected by the parents. In addition, the surgery is carried out for cosmetic purposes since the kid may experience complications later in life, such as lack of sexual pressure, emotional harm, and abnormal feelings. If the parents were informed of the consequences of the surgery, it would be difficult for them to accept the medical intervention.
Intersex traits for newborns should not be regarded as an abnormality that requires surgery. Medical professionals should accept it as a natural variation that does not require change. Although the parents have the right intentions of ensuring that the kid does not suffer, the intervention made is wrong since the child will suffer later in life. Parents should accept that their kids are different from what society expects, however, the variation should not be regarded as a disability or abnormality.
Some of the adults who underwent surgery to remove some part of their genitalia argue that such process ought to be burned since it is mutilation. Kids should be allowed to live with both genitals rather than being forced to live based on the societal values. They argue that parents should not be allowed to select their gender since gender is naturally given.