Eugenides has both positive and negative affects on the acceptance of intersex people. While this fictitious novel brings attention to the possibility of an intersex gender to a wide audience who may not even know intersex persons actually existed, Middlesex also creates untrue stereotypes. As described in the novel, Cal's intersex gender is linked to, and the probable affect of the incestuous relationship of Cal's parents. Yes, this novel is a work of fiction but it may be creating stereotypes here. In actual life, is intersex gender linked to incest or does Eugenides just make this up? The fact that Cal's undefinable gender is the product of incest creates a stigma against intersex persons as if they too have a dark familial past of incest.
One point in Sterling's "Of Gender and Genitals" that really intrigued me is the fact that intersex births are far more frequent than albino births (53)...yet everyone knows albinos exist and albino's are accepted. So why is society so focused on "fixing" intersex persons right away, when in actuality it is far more common than one would think?
Another point I thought of while reading both Sterling and Eugenides is what if an actual gender is never achieved. For example, Callie was born a girl but then became Cal because his body and mind was telling him he was a male; he related more to men. Is there such thing as intersex persons whom after puberty still do not identify with either gender or identify with both? Either people are given a sex right at birth with a surgical fix, or later in life like Cal with a gender reassignment. But what about people who never realize their gender? After all, in actuality, they aren't male or female so why would/should they identify with one or the other (whether at birth or later in life). Is the formation of a new third gender needed? Or even perhaps a fourth gender?--Like male, female, both, or neither? Not only would the amount of genders or the definition of gender change but also the amount of sexualities or definition of sexuality would also change... the subsection entitled "Defining Heterosexuality" of tonight's Sterling reading addresses this issue. Is an intersex person always heterosexual because as both sexes like one sex or the other is still acceptable? If an intersex person was attracted to another intersex person, would that be considered homosexuality? The sexuality of intersex people cannot be defined...hence more sexualities must exist.
So there can be the option of creating more genders or definitions of sexualities OR possibly more radical...should categories of gender and sexuality be erased all together in order to be all inclusive? It's such a difficult issue because social construction and actual biology is blurred and complicated. What is the best solution to these issues?
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That is a very interesting point that Regan brings up about how there are more intersex births than albino births. I mean i'm not going to lie, it is a little odd to see an albino person, it catches me off guard. On the other hand, however, if i see an inter-sex person walking down the street i am much more likely to dismiss them as just another person
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with Regan's concern of stereotyping intersexed people through Middlesex, I do not think that people will be confused about the cause of Cal's condition. The reason for the incest is particular and meant to show how it may seem rare for this to occur. Eugenidies could have included more about the intersex community to show the likelihood of a child being born intersexed but I do not think it is his responsibility. He is telling a story.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Regan's point about the gender assignment but I do not think there should be a both or neither category, but rather an other category. We need to recognize the constraining nature of our language and mentality to "yes" or "no" and look at other ideas. For instance, in my Yes Means Yes series we had to name the pronoun with which we like to be refereed. Some people said "Q" or "Zed" and while I was surprised by it, it makes perfect sense. I wonder what the older version of Cal would choose.
I was really struck by what Sterling said about the determination of sex, "It is not what the sex organ does for the body to which it is attached that defines the body as male. It is what it does vis-a-vis other bodies" (58). Our society exists because of the relationships it develops and nurtures. We understand ourselves through eachother. For example, I am a student, daughter and New Yorker. These categories are only meaningful because there are other categories to which I belong. This makes sense in terms of defining sexes; people must belong to one category in order to define themselves. However, as Regan said, we need to make new categories so that our understanding of ourselves can be productive for both the individual and society at large.
In creating an intersex protagonist, Eugenides gives voice to a member of the intersex community. Instead of perpetuating stereotypes, he allows Cal to live on his own terms, for Cal finds his personality and desires more aligned with those of the male gender. Cal's biological traits are caused by a fictitious act of incest because it makes for a good story that link three generations and highlights the quest of a single family, from its origins in Greece to its journey to America.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of what leads to an intersex body and/or identity, I found an interesting point of Sterling's to be that "there is also concern that the presence of environmental pollutants that mimic estrogen have begun to cause widespread increases in the incidence of intersex forms such as hypospadias" (54). This is an important point to consider, in light of the contemporary discussions of the human impact on the environment. If our impact on the environment is in turn leading to more cases of intersexuality, what does this tell us about the true nature of intersexual births? Are they completely natural, or brought about by birth defects which are influenced by the mistreatment of our environment. Sterling highlights that hermaphrodites have been in existence since the early stages of organized society, yet we must still acknowledge the increase in intersex births and consider the changes in our environment as a factor in this rise.