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Surgery on intersex child prompts lawsuit

Blogs > Mothra
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Mothra
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States1448 Posts
May 22 2013 23:16 GMT
#1
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/health/child-sex-surgery-suit/index.html?sr=sharebar_facebook



(CNN) -- The adoptive parents of a child born with male and female organs say South Carolina mutilated their son by choosing a gender and having his male genitalia surgically removed.

The surgery took place when the child was 16 months old and a ward of the state, according to a lawsuit filed by the parents against three doctors and several members of the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

The child's biological mother was deemed unfit, and the biological father had apparently abandoned him, according to the suit. So others made the decision.

The child, now 8 years old, feels more like a boy and "wants to be a normal boy," said Pamela Crawford, the boy's adoptive mother."It's become more and more difficult, just as his identity has become more clearly male, the idea that mutilation was done to him had become more and more real," she said in a video released by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which is assisting in the case.

"There was no medical reason that this decision had to be made at this time."


Will be interesting to see what the court decides. I wonder if there would still be litigation if the adoptive parents had chosen the surgery. I can't imagine who would advocate for it though, unless it was the child himself after he was old enough.

*
RoyGBiv_13
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States1275 Posts
May 22 2013 23:31 GMT
#2
"There was no medical reason that this decision had to be made at this time."


I recall in my gender studies class spending almost a full month investigating case studies like this. I recall that most studies seem to converge that "its generally easier to remove things than add them on" even though gender identification is influenced most heavily by genetics. The kid will be fine, if not confused for a while. There is absolutely no reason why genitals should influence what that child feels about himself (assuming from the article, that is what he wishes to be identified with).
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic
Mothra
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States1448 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-05-22 23:42:39
May 22 2013 23:42 GMT
#3
On May 23 2013 08:31 RoyGBiv_13 wrote:
Show nested quote +
"There was no medical reason that this decision had to be made at this time."


I recall in my gender studies class spending almost a full month investigating case studies like this. I recall that most studies seem to converge that "its generally easier to remove things than add them on" even though gender identification is influenced most heavily by genetics. The kid will be fine, if not confused for a while. There is absolutely no reason why genitals should influence what that child feels about himself (assuming from the article, that is what he wishes to be identified with).


If it is difficult to add on, then why permanently remove without option to undo? I mean, is it justified in the first place to not wait for the kids input?
Antylamon
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1981 Posts
May 23 2013 00:26 GMT
#4
On May 23 2013 08:42 Mothra wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 08:31 RoyGBiv_13 wrote:
"There was no medical reason that this decision had to be made at this time."


I recall in my gender studies class spending almost a full month investigating case studies like this. I recall that most studies seem to converge that "its generally easier to remove things than add them on" even though gender identification is influenced most heavily by genetics. The kid will be fine, if not confused for a while. There is absolutely no reason why genitals should influence what that child feels about himself (assuming from the article, that is what he wishes to be identified with).


If it is difficult to add on, then why permanently remove without option to undo? I mean, is it justified in the first place to not wait for the kids input?

Female to male sex reassignment surgery is just as possible as male to female. The doctors very likely felt pressured to make some sort of choice, otherwise they could be sued for letting a child be both biological sexes.
teddyoojo
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
Germany22369 Posts
May 23 2013 00:50 GMT
#5
On May 23 2013 09:26 Antylamon wrote:
The doctors very likely felt pressured to make some sort of choice, otherwise they could be sued for letting a child be both biological sexes.

i highly doubt that this is possible
Esports historian since 2000. Creator of 'The Universe' and 'The best scrambled Eggs 2013'. Host of 'Star Wars Marathon 2015'. Thinker of 'teddyoojo's Thoughts'. Earths and Moons leading CS:GO expert. Lord of the Rings.
Mothra
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States1448 Posts
May 23 2013 01:02 GMT
#6
On May 23 2013 09:50 teddyoojo wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 09:26 Antylamon wrote:
The doctors very likely felt pressured to make some sort of choice, otherwise they could be sued for letting a child be both biological sexes.

i highly doubt that this is possible


I'm curious as well if there's any cases of that happening?
endy
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
Switzerland8970 Posts
May 23 2013 02:07 GMT
#7
Is the child genetically male or female ? I mean XX or XY ?
ॐ
sluggaslamoo
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
Australia4494 Posts
May 23 2013 02:07 GMT
#8
On May 23 2013 09:50 teddyoojo wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 09:26 Antylamon wrote:
The doctors very likely felt pressured to make some sort of choice, otherwise they could be sued for letting a child be both biological sexes.

i highly doubt that this is possible


I thought there was more pressure to leave it until the kid makes a decision.
Come play Android Netrunner - http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=409008
WolfintheSheep
Profile Joined June 2011
Canada14127 Posts
May 23 2013 02:17 GMT
#9
On May 23 2013 11:07 endy wrote:
Is the child genetically male or female ? I mean XX or XY ?

If the child was genetically a hermaphrodite, then the answer would be both.
Average means I'm better than half of you.
Mothra
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States1448 Posts
May 23 2013 02:19 GMT
#10
On May 23 2013 11:07 endy wrote:
Is the child genetically male or female ? I mean XX or XY ?


Doesn't say in the article. Does that change anything though if they knew? I would think that it's still something that could wait til later. The person may decide they don't want surgery at all.
Aterons_toss
Profile Joined February 2011
Romania1275 Posts
May 23 2013 03:02 GMT
#11
Why not have him undergo a sex change operation ?
Also... I wasn't even aware a human can be hermaphrodite.
A good strategy means leaving your opponent room to make mistakes
dcemuser
Profile Joined August 2010
United States3248 Posts
May 23 2013 03:08 GMT
#12
On May 23 2013 11:17 WolfintheSheep wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 11:07 endy wrote:
Is the child genetically male or female ? I mean XX or XY ?

If the child was genetically a hermaphrodite, then the answer would be both.


Just a "and now you know" thing, but nobody uses the term "hermaphrodite" to apply to humans. The term hermaphrodite implies the ability to produce functioning eggs and sperm, which is something that almost never occurs in humans, even in humans who have both sets of genitalia.

Intersex is a term that implies the presence of one of the many 'disorders of sex development' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#Conditions). Many of these occur when strands of DNA fail to split correctly during mitosis, so the child ends up with sex chromosomes that look like XXXY or XXXX.
dcemuser
Profile Joined August 2010
United States3248 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-05-23 03:11:54
May 23 2013 03:10 GMT
#13
On May 23 2013 12:02 Aterons_toss wrote:
Why not have him undergo a sex change operation ?
Also... I wasn't even aware a human can be hermaphrodite.


He probably will, but what they did is basically chop off his penis at age 1 and now they have to create a new one from his female organs at age 8.

It's outrageously stupid for doctors/parents to be allowed to mutilate young children to meet their standards.

Imagine the whole circumcision debate except 100x worse. That's what this is.
Mothra
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States1448 Posts
May 23 2013 05:10 GMT
#14
On May 23 2013 12:10 dcemuser wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 12:02 Aterons_toss wrote:
Why not have him undergo a sex change operation ?
Also... I wasn't even aware a human can be hermaphrodite.


He probably will, but what they did is basically chop off his penis at age 1 and now they have to create a new one from his female organs at age 8.

It's outrageously stupid for doctors/parents to be allowed to mutilate young children to meet their standards.

Imagine the whole circumcision debate except 100x worse. That's what this is.


The interesting thing is it wasn't even a parent's decision in this case, but the state of South Carolina.
ninazerg
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States7291 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-05-23 07:00:53
May 23 2013 07:00 GMT
#15
Quick, hit crtl+z
"If two pregnant women get into a fist fight, it's like a mecha-battle between two unborn babies." - Fyodor Dostoevsky
WolfintheSheep
Profile Joined June 2011
Canada14127 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-05-23 07:50:30
May 23 2013 07:50 GMT
#16
On May 23 2013 12:08 dcemuser wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 11:17 WolfintheSheep wrote:
On May 23 2013 11:07 endy wrote:
Is the child genetically male or female ? I mean XX or XY ?

If the child was genetically a hermaphrodite, then the answer would be both.


Just a "and now you know" thing, but nobody uses the term "hermaphrodite" to apply to humans. The term hermaphrodite implies the ability to produce functioning eggs and sperm, which is something that almost never occurs in humans, even in humans who have both sets of genitalia.

Intersex is a term that implies the presence of one of the many 'disorders of sex development' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#Conditions). Many of these occur when strands of DNA fail to split correctly during mitosis, so the child ends up with sex chromosomes that look like XXXY or XXXX.

Well, not that it can't be applied to humans, more that terminology has moved forward on the matter. I know intersex is the more generalized term, but I had/have a hard time pinning down the terminology for someone that's actually physically both sexes to some degree.
Average means I'm better than half of you.
Darkwhite
Profile Joined June 2007
Norway352 Posts
May 23 2013 11:57 GMT
#17
On May 23 2013 12:08 dcemuser wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 11:17 WolfintheSheep wrote:
On May 23 2013 11:07 endy wrote:
Is the child genetically male or female ? I mean XX or XY ?

If the child was genetically a hermaphrodite, then the answer would be both.


Nobody uses the term "hermaphrodite" to apply to humans.


Let's not get carried away. While some people consider it an inappropriate term, it is both widely used and understood.
Darker than the sun's light; much stiller than the storm - slower than the lightning; just like the winter warm.
QuanticHawk
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States32098 Posts
May 23 2013 14:00 GMT
#18
On May 23 2013 08:31 RoyGBiv_13 wrote:
Show nested quote +
"There was no medical reason that this decision had to be made at this time."


I recall in my gender studies class spending almost a full month investigating case studies like this. I recall that most studies seem to converge that "its generally easier to remove things than add them on" even though gender identification is influenced most heavily by genetics. The kid will be fine, if not confused for a while. There is absolutely no reason why genitals should influence what that child feels about himself (assuming from the article, that is what he wishes to be identified with).

what???
there are plenty of people with organs that dont match how they feel interally. but if you feel like a guy and look down and see lady bits, it is gonna do a major fuckin number on your head. i am not sure why youd think that at all.

and yeah it is a lot easier to remove things than to add them on. which is why there is controversy about this because they made a choice (that did not have to happen) at a very young age, and it was totally wrong. not that i am saying that i am sure that leaving the kid with both genitals until theyre at an age to start identifying one way or another is the best option, but it is clear that what transpired is a fuck up
PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA
Kalingingsong
Profile Joined September 2009
Canada633 Posts
May 23 2013 14:09 GMT
#19
as Tyrion said in the Storm of Swords: "life is a lot simpler when you can simply f*ck yourself"

sorry bad taste lol, poor kid.
Dess.JadeFalcon
Antylamon
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1981 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-05-23 19:33:38
May 23 2013 19:31 GMT
#20
On May 23 2013 09:50 teddyoojo wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 09:26 Antylamon wrote:
The doctors very likely felt pressured to make some sort of choice, otherwise they could be sued for letting a child be both biological sexes.

i highly doubt that this is possible

In what way?

I know that people with both male and female organs are infertile. Is that what you mean?

EDIT: This guy says it better.
On May 23 2013 16:50 WolfintheSheep wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 12:08 dcemuser wrote:
On May 23 2013 11:17 WolfintheSheep wrote:
On May 23 2013 11:07 endy wrote:
Is the child genetically male or female ? I mean XX or XY ?

If the child was genetically a hermaphrodite, then the answer would be both.


Just a "and now you know" thing, but nobody uses the term "hermaphrodite" to apply to humans. The term hermaphrodite implies the ability to produce functioning eggs and sperm, which is something that almost never occurs in humans, even in humans who have both sets of genitalia.

Intersex is a term that implies the presence of one of the many 'disorders of sex development' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#Conditions). Many of these occur when strands of DNA fail to split correctly during mitosis, so the child ends up with sex chromosomes that look like XXXY or XXXX.

Well, not that it can't be applied to humans, more that terminology has moved forward on the matter. I know intersex is the more generalized term, but I had/have a hard time pinning down the terminology for someone that's actually physically both sexes to some degree.

Mothra
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States1448 Posts
April 12 2014 18:12 GMT
#21
Lawsuit going to proceed despite defendant's attempts to stop it.

http://www.wyff4.com/news/dss-loses-motion-to-delay-case-of-intersex-child/25401094
guN-viCe
Profile Joined March 2010
United States687 Posts
April 12 2014 23:48 GMT
#22
On May 23 2013 08:31 RoyGBiv_13 wrote:
Show nested quote +
"There was no medical reason that this decision had to be made at this time."


I recall in my gender studies class spending almost a full month investigating case studies like this. I recall that most studies seem to converge that "its generally easier to remove things than add them on" even though gender identification is influenced most heavily by genetics. The kid will be fine, if not confused for a while. There is absolutely no reason why genitals should influence what that child feels about himself (assuming from the article, that is what he wishes to be identified with).


You spent a month studying cases like this and your conclusion is that the kid will be fine? Holy shit that's insensitive.

Why don't you get your penis surgically removed and give it to this kid? Oh yea.. because that would be crazy, stupid, and make you feel like shit about yourself.

"hey girl I like you and want to normal like my peers, but I don't have a penis, is that OK?" *girl is horrified and walks away*

This kid's life and long term happiness has been severely damaged.
Never give up, never surrender!!! ~~ Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence -Sagan
PanN
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States2828 Posts
April 13 2014 00:55 GMT
#23
On April 13 2014 08:48 guN-viCe wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 23 2013 08:31 RoyGBiv_13 wrote:
"There was no medical reason that this decision had to be made at this time."


I recall in my gender studies class spending almost a full month investigating case studies like this. I recall that most studies seem to converge that "its generally easier to remove things than add them on" even though gender identification is influenced most heavily by genetics. The kid will be fine, if not confused for a while. There is absolutely no reason why genitals should influence what that child feels about himself (assuming from the article, that is what he wishes to be identified with).


You spent a month studying cases like this and your conclusion is that the kid will be fine? Holy shit that's insensitive.

Why don't you get your penis surgically removed and give it to this kid? Oh yea.. because that would be crazy, stupid, and make you feel like shit about yourself.

"hey girl I like you and want to normal like my peers, but I don't have a penis, is that OK?" *girl is horrified and walks away*

This kid's life and long term happiness has been severely damaged.


You're trying to carry on a conversation from almost a year ago just so you know.
We have multiple brackets generated in advance. Relax . (Kennigit) I just simply do not understand how it can be the time to play can be 22nd at 9:30 pm PST / midnight the 23rd at the same time. (GGzerg)
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