Description
Book Synopsis: What does it mean to be human? To be human is, in part, to be physically sexed and culturally gendered. Yet not all bodies are clearly male or female. Bodies in Doubt traces the changing definitions, perceptions, and medical management of intersex (atypical sex development) in America from the colonial period to the present day. From the beginning, intersex bodies have been marked as "other" as monstrous, sinister, threatening, inferior, and unfortunate.
Some nineteenth-century doctors viewed their intersex patients with disrespect and suspicion. Later, doctors showed more empathy for their patients' plights and tried to make correct decisions regarding their care. Yet definitions of "correct" in matters of intersex were entangled with shifting ideas and tensions about what was natural and normal, indeed about what constituted personhood or humanity.
Reis has examined hundreds of cases of "hermaphroditism" and intersex found in medical and popular literature and argues that medical practice cannot be understood outside of the broader cultural context in which it is embedded. As the history of responses to intersex bodies has shown, doctors are influenced by social concerns about marriage and heterosexuality. Bodies in Doubt considers how Americans have interpreted and handled ambiguous bodies, how the criteria and the authority for judging bodies changed, how both the binary gender ideal and the anxiety over uncertainty persisted, and how the process for defining the very norms of sex and gender evolved.
Bodies in Doubt breaks new ground in examining the historical roots of modern attitudes about intersex in the United States and will interest scholars and researchers in disability studies, social history, gender studies, and the history of medicine.
Details
Experience the captivating journey through the pages of Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex. This groundbreaking book delves into the complex interplay between definitions, perceptions, and medical management of intersex individuals throughout American history. From the colonial period to the present day, this comprehensive work uncovers the cultural and societal biases that have shaped our understanding of these "othered" bodies.
With meticulous research and insightful analysis, author [Author Name] explores the evolving attitudes towards intersex bodies. Discover how these individuals were once viewed as monsters, threats, and inferiors, painted with suspicion by 19th-century doctors. Witness the shifting tides of empathy and compassion as medical professionals sought to make informed decisions about the care of intersex individuals.
Unravel the intertwined tapestry of societal norms, notions of personhood, and the relentless pursuit of a binary gender ideal. Bodies in Doubt illuminates the ways in which definitions of "correct" in matters of intersex were deeply influenced by cultural contexts and social concerns about marriage and heterosexuality.
At its core, Bodies in Doubt challenges readers to question what it truly means to be human. How do we define ourselves in a world where physical sex and cultural gender don't always align? Join the scholarly journey that traverses disability studies, social history, gender studies, and the history of medicine. This thought-provoking book will captivate your intellect and broaden your understanding of the rich tapestry of human diversity.
Step into a world of discovery and enlightenment with Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex. Embrace the opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain new perspectives on the intricate intersection of biology, culture, and identity. Start your journey today by ordering your copy now.
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