Middlesex+Journal+10

In16th century France, hermaphrodites were depicted in literature as curiosities or freaks. It was not inconceivable that a girl could change into a boy, because women were viewed as a sort of incomplete man. The opposite transformation was not accepted as being something that could occur. Our contemporary worldviews are different. Girls can no longer change into boys. Women and men have become totally distinct categories, almost separate species. If one is deemed a hermaphrodite, we assume that they must decide whther to be considered a boy or a girl. According to this worldview there is no place for hermaphrodites. When a newborn's sex cannot easily be determined, the parents are often extremely confused while wondering how to treat a sexless child.

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