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.