In "The Five Sexes", Fausto-Sterling mentions that in our day, doctors surgically assign a sex to intersex babies so they fit one gender or the other. In her article "Sex, Intersex, and the Making of Normal," author Elizabeth Reis argues that this violates the bridge of medicine because the surgeries are performed for social reasons, not medical ones. I agree - "fixing" intersex babies simply avoids confusion for society, at the expense of the individuals.
It's interesting that today, while racial hybridization has become common, accepeted, and in some cases envied, intersex is looked upon uncomfortably with confusion. This is no an accident. While up to 4% of people are born somewhat intersex, doctors have eliminated this "problem" from adult society. Not many stories of intersex people are heard, and no one knows the scale of potential physical and psychological harm "fixed" intersex adults deal with. It is a silent violation of human rights on the most basic scale. I think intersex babies should be left intersex, and once they are 18 and presumably established gender identities, can then chose the option of surgery if that is what they want. Otherwise, there is no choice.
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