Gender issues

[dalekboy]

We've been out and about a couple of times in the last two days, which has knocked the stuffing out of both of us. Many people have commented on our baby, and when they hear he's a boy, they all talk about what a good-looking or handsome child he is.

I'm thinking of introducing him to strangers as a girl now and again, just to see what they say.

Once I'm bored with that, I may start saying he's a hermaphrodite.

Comments

[kaths.livejournal.com]

We focus on the sex basically as something to say I think. But it must be so hard for those with babies whose sex is unclear for whatever reason. They basically would have to pick one and go with it until they work out what would be best for the child (eg many 'boys' with congenitally small genitals have grown up as girls).

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

I knew an intersex girl (that's how she identified), she was glad her parents hadn't had her operated on as a baby and basically chosen for her, even though it really made her personal life hell.

[kaths.livejournal.com]

Yes, these days they';re less likely to operate, and leave it to the child when they get older. If it's not clear, you just can't tell what the combination of genetics, hormones and brain development is going to do, until you ask them when they're old enough to understand (which can be quite young).

It would be so hard though, in this society, to do that!