Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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"It's a... does it matter?": Theorising "boy or girl" binary classifications, intersexuality and medical practice in New Zealand

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thesis
posted on 2021-11-13, 12:22 authored by Christmas, Geraldine

This thesis investigates the clinical management of intersexuality in New Zealand and support for intersex New Zealanders and their families. My research is informed by the narratives of New Zealanders with intersex conditions, parents of children with intersex conditions, registered nurses, specialist clinicians, representatives from community/support organisations and a former member of parliament. This thesis also investigates medical teaching in New Zealand: not only about intersex anatomy but two key issues which shape society – gender and sexuality. Feminist, postmodern and queer theorising about these issues also inform this thesis in relation to traditional assumptions about gender and sexuality, and medical recommendations for sex assignment and rearing. Historical accounts of societal attitudes and medical thinking towards sex classification, sexuality and intersexuality also inform this thesis.  Despite New Zealand's reputation as an egalitarian democracy, my findings show that judgemental attitudes towards difference still exist in parts of New Zealand society. This is discussed with reference to poststructuralist and oral history theorising about societal power structures and research on sensitive topics. Undertaking research in New Zealand, on what can be regarded as a sensitive topic, can be difficult in terms of maintaining confidentiality in a small population.  The implications of practising medicine in New Zealand are highlighted as, due to its smaller population, the number of intersex individuals coming to clinicians' attention is small compared to some other countries. From my findings, it appears that specialist clinicians and medical schools in New Zealand rely on medical models from other countries with larger populations, which have a greater number of babies born with intersex conditions and consequently more specialised medical practice and education. The narratives of intersex people and their parents also highlight the implications of living in a smaller population. This is not only with regard to medical experiences (such as hospitals which often have little experience of intersex issues), but also societal prejudices and judgements towards lesser known variations of sexual anatomy.

History

Copyright Date

2013-01-01

Date of Award

2013-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Gender and Women’s Studies

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Doctoral

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

970116 Expanding Knowledge through Studies of Human Society

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Doctoral Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Education Policy and Implementation

Advisors

Laurie, Alison; Hall, Lesley