Gender and Society - Chapter 4 - Five Sexes

FIVE SEXES
CHAPTER 4
MODULE OVERVIEW
In her articles The Five Sexes and The Five Sexes Revisited,
Anne Fausto-Sterling challenges the traditional two-sex
system and the heteronormative assumptions tied to it. She
introduces a five-sex system that views sex as a continuum
rather than a rigid binary. Fausto-Sterling critiques the
medical community and societal norms for reinforcing this
two-sex system, highlighting how gender assignment surgery
is often deemed "successful" if the individual can conform to
heterosexual standards. She argues that these beliefs are
driven more by societal expectations than by scientific
reasoning
In her original article "The Five Sexes" (1993), Fausto-Sterling proposed
that instead of just two sexes (male and female), we should consider five
distinct categories:
1. Male (XY chromosomes, typically male characteristics).
2. Female (XX chromosomes, typically female characteristics).
3. True Hermaphrodites (Herms) – People who possess both ovarian
and testicular tissue. They may have ambiguous genitalia or a
combination of male and female reproductive organs.
4. Male Pseudohermaphrodites (Merms) – Individuals who are
genetically male (XY chromosomes) but have some female physical
traits, often due to hormonal differences or developmental conditions.
5. Female Pseudohermaphrodites (Ferms) – Individuals who are
genetically female (XX chromosomes) but have some male physical
traits or ambiguous genitalia.
Learning content
1. Challenging the Legal and Medical Norms
Fausto-Sterling criticizes how laws and the state enforce the idea of only two sexes, affecting things like
draft registration and marriage. She rejects the belief that only two sexes are "natural" and introduces
more categories like true hermaphrodites, male pseudohermaphrodites, and female
pseudohermaphrodites to expand the understanding of sex.
2. Disputing the Notion of "Normal"
Fausto-Sterling argues that the rigid two-sex system doesn't account for the complexity of human biology
and leads to legal and social issues, such as determining eligibility for draft registration or the legal
definition of marriage. She criticizes the assumption that only two sexes—male and female—are "natural."
Instead, she introduces a broader understanding of sex categories to include those who do not fit neatly
into the male or female binary.
a. True Hermaphrodites:
For example, a true hermaphrodite might be born with both ovarian and testicular tissue. Such an
individual might have ambiguous genitalia, like a person with both a small penis and a vaginal opening.
Historically, society has pressured individuals to be surgically "corrected" to fit into either the male or
female category, which Fausto-Sterling criticizes as unnecessary and harmful.
b. Male Pseudohermaphrodites:
An example of a male pseudohermaphrodite would be someone born with XY
chromosomes and testes, but with external genitalia that appears more typically female,
such as a smaller penis or underdeveloped male genitalia. This person might be identified
as female at birth but, upon reaching puberty, might develop more male characteristics,
like a deep voice or facial hair. Fausto-Sterling argues that these individuals should not be
forced into one gender or another.
c. Female Pseudohermaphrodites:
An example of a female pseudohermaphrodite might be a person born with XX
chromosomes and ovaries but whose external genitalia resemble male genitalia, such as
an enlarged clitoris that might look like a penis. Such individuals are often labeled male or
female at birth based on appearance, but Fausto-Sterling argues that forcing them into
these categories is limiting and fails to acknowledge the natural variations in sex.
Fausto-Sterling uses these examples to illustrate how the legal and medical systems
enforce a limited understanding of sex that doesn’t reflect the full range of human biology.
By recognizing these categories, she advocates for a broader, more inclusive view of sex
and gender.
1. Disputing the Notion of "Normal"
Fausto-Sterling challenges the idea that gender ambiguity is abnormal. She references studies that
show many babies are born with intersex traits. For every 1000 births, 17 babies may be intersex,
suggesting it's more common than people think.
2. Historical Context and Criticism
By mentioning Plato’s idea of three sexes, Fausto-Sterling shows that even in ancient times, people
questioned the strict two-sex model, supporting her argument against it.
3. Scientific Basis of Gender Ambiguity
Fausto-Sterling argues that things like chromosomes, hormones, and genitalia are more varied than
we realize. She challenges the idea that gender ambiguity is "abnormal," showing that variations exist
even in people considered "normal."
4. Psychological Impact of Gender Assignment Surgery
Fausto-Sterling disputes the belief that intersex children who don’t have surgery will face emotional
distress. She points to cases from 1930 to 1960 where children without surgery did not have
psychological problems. Cheryl Chase’s experience shows that the surgery itself might cause more
harm, leading to depression.
5. Scientific Basis of Gender Ambiguity
Fausto-Sterling argues that things like chromosomes, hormones,
and genitalia are more varied than we realize. She challenges the
idea that gender ambiguity is "abnormal," showing that variations
exist even in people considered "normal."
6. Psychological Impact of Gender Assignment Surgery
Fausto-Sterling disputes the belief that intersex children who don’t
have surgery will face emotional distress. She points to cases from
1930 to 1960 where children without surgery did not have
psychological problems. Cheryl Chase’s experience shows that the
surgery itself might cause more harm, leading to depression.
7.Performing Gender
Suzanne J. Kessler argues that how people act and perform gender is more important than
anatomy. This challenges the idea of strictly defining people as male or female based on
physical traits.
Example: A well-known Filipino athlete who has faced challenges related to gender identity
is Nancy Navalta. Navalta was a track and field runner in the 1990s who gained attention
for her exceptional performances. However, questions about her gender arose due to her
physical appearance, and she underwent gender testing. The tests reportedly showed that
she had intersex traits, which led to controversy and her disqualification from competing in
women's events.
Navalta's case highlights how society often views gender ambiguity as "abnormal," similar
to what Fausto-Sterling challenges in her work. Despite her natural talent, Navalta was
marginalized due to not fitting neatly into the binary understanding of sex, aligning with
Fausto-Sterling's argument that intersex traits are more common than people realize and
should not be treated as abnormalities.
SUMMARY
Anne Fausto-Sterling’s work challenges the dominant two-sex system by
proposing a five-sex continuum, arguing that the binary model reinforces power
structures and differential treatment based on sex. The discussion of intersex
individuals and gender ambiguity disrupts societal expectations and invites a
more nuanced understanding of sex and gender.
END

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FIVE SEXES

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