Crazy writers

Free Essay Samples > Essays > Sociology > Gender Studies > Hermaphrodites in Society: A Struggle for Socialization

Hermaphrodites in Society: A Struggle for Socialization

1. Introduction

The word "hermaphrodite" is defined as an individual with both the male and female sex chromosomes. Due to this, hermaphrodites or intersex individuals, fitting into the society is usually a difficult task. These individuals have to go through various issues and problems in their lives, which are mostly related to their socialization process. Socialization, as an important aspect of personality formation, enables one to acquire the behaviors, beliefs, and accumulated knowledge of the society (Hermaphrodites and Society n.p.). Because of this, some of them feel ashamed and hide their real identity to people. According to a study done by The American Journal of Human Genetics in 2006, "it is estimated that about 1 in 1500-2000 births result in a child with an intersex condition" (Hermaphrodites and Society n.p.). This means that there are currently thousands of people who are living with this condition without anyone knowing.

2. Hermaphrodites in the Society

As mentioned earlier, hermaphrodites or intersex individuals have a hard time socializing with other people because they are constantly being judged and misunderstood. In most cases, these individuals are not accepted by the society and are often ridiculed by other people. This is mainly because the society is not yet ready to accept them as they are. In some parts of the world, hermaphrodites are still treated like animals or freaks shows. They are often parade in public for people to see and stare at. This only adds to their distress and makes it even harder for them to live a normal life.

3. The Five Sexes Theory

Recently, there has been a theory that suggests that there are five sexes instead of just two. This theory was put forward by Dr. Leonard Sax in his book "Why Gender Matters". According to this theory, there are five sexes: Male, Female, Intersex, Hermaphrodite, and Androgyny. This theory has caused a lot of controversy and confusion among people because it is not only confusing but also exoticizes and sensationalizes such individuals. This only makes it harder for them to be accepted by the society.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, hermaphrodites or intersex individuals have a hard time socializing with other people because they are constantly being judged and misunderstood. This is mainly because the society is not yet ready to accept them as they are. In some parts of the world, hermaphrodites are still treated like animals or freaks shows. The five sexes theory only adds to their distress and makes it even harder for them to live a normal life.

FAQ

Hermaphroditism is a condition in which an individual has both male and female reproductive organs, while intersexuality is a term used to describe a wide range of conditions in which an individual's reproductive organs or sexual anatomy do not fit typical definitions of "male" or "female."

Hermaphroditism is relatively rare, occurring in about 1 in every 20,000 births, while intersexuality is thought to be much more common, with some estimates suggesting that as many as 1 in 100 people are born with some form of intersex condition.

The causes of hermaphroditism are not fully understood, but it is believed to be the result of a hormonal imbalance during fetal development. Intersexuality can have a variety of causes, including genetic abnormalities, problems with hormone production or metabolism during fetal development, or damage to the reproductive organs during childbirth.

Hermaphrodites and intersex individuals may identify themselves as male, female, both, or neither; they may also use different terms altogether (such as "intergender" or "ambiguous"). Others may prefer not to label themselves at all. How someone identifies themselves and others is entirely up to them and should be respected.

Challenges faced by hermaphrodites and intersex individuals vary depending on the individual's particular condition and how open they are about their status; however, discrimination and exclusion from mainstream society are common themes.

There are no definitive answers when it comes to the benefits (or drawbacks) of being a hermaphrodite or intersex individual; this is something that each person would have to answer for themselves based on their own experiences.