Advertisement

Intersex Bodies in Sexuality Education: On the Edge of Cultural Difference

  • Annette Brömdal
  • Mary Lou Rasmussen
  • Fida Sanjakdar
  • Louisa Allen
  • Kathleen Quinlivan
Chapter
First Online:

Abstract

Myths and ignorance regarding intersexuality sometimes result in intersex bodies inhabiting the space of the ‘embarrassing other’ in sexuality education. Utilising Nikki Sullivan’s notion of somatechnics, we seek to untangle how people associated with this category cannot be understood as separate from the technologies of medical and educational institutions that regulate their bodies. Drawing upon data collected from a broader study exploring cultural discourses in school-based sexuality education in Australia and New Zealand, this analysis explores how gendered bodily norms of discipline and regulation intersect. We focus on the pedagogical potential of conversations about intersex and hope to inspire educators to work with and against students’ curiosity for stories about what they perceive to be ‘embarrassing bodies’ and explore how power accrues to particular bodies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Albury, K. (2013). Young people, media and sexual learning: Rethinking representation. Sex Education, 13(1), S32–S44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Allen, L., Rasmussen, M. L., Quinlivan, K., Aspin, C., Sanjakdar, F., & Brömdal, A. (2012). Who’s afraid of sex at school? The politics of researching culture, religion and sexuality at school. International Journal of Research and Method in Education, 37(1), 31–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Allen, L., Quinlivan, K., Aspin, C., Sanjakdar, F., Brömdal, A., & Rasmussen, M. L. (2014). Meeting at the crossroads: Re-conceptualising difference in research teams. Qualitative Research Journal, 14(2), 119–133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Breu, C. (2009). Middlesex meditations: Understanding and teaching intersex. The English Journal, 98(4), 102–108.Google Scholar
  5. Burford, J., Lucassen, M. F. G., Penniket, P., & Hamliton, T. (2013). Educating for diversity: An informative evaluation of the rainbow youth sexuality and gender diversity workshops. Auckland: Rainbow Youth Incorporated.Google Scholar
  6. Channel 4. (2014). Embarrassing bodies. Channel 4 UK. Retrieved from http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com
  7. Depalma, R. (2013). Choosing to lose our gender expertise: Queering sex/gender in school settings. Sex Education, 13(1), 1–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). (2014). The school policy and advisory guide: Gender identity and intersex status—definitions. Melbourne: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). Retrieved from http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/health/pages/genderidentity.aspx#link34
  9. Donaldson-James, S. (2012). Born with two vaginas: Not So Rare. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/01/12/born-with-two-vaginas-not-so-rare/
  10. Evers, C. W., Albury, K., Byron, P., & Crawford, K. (2013). Young people, social media, social network sites and sexual health communication in Australia: ‘This is funny, you should watch it’. International Journal of Communication, 7, 263–280.Google Scholar
  11. Fausto-Sterling, A. (2000). Sexing the body: Gender politics and the construction of sexuality. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
  12. Foucault, M. (1980). Two lectures. In C. Gordon (Ed.), Michel Foucault, Power/knowledge: Selected interviews and other writings 1972–1977 (pp. 78–108). Sussex: The Harvester Press.Google Scholar
  13. Halstead, J. M. (1999). Teaching about homosexuality: A response to John Beck. Cambridge Journal of Education, 29(1), 131–136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Herndon, A. (2006). Teaching intersex issues. Intersex Society of North America (ISNA). Retrieved from http://www.isna.org/teaching_kit
  15. Hill, M. A. (2014). UNSW Embryology: Genital system—abnormalities. Retrieved from https://php.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=Genital_System_-_Abnormalities
  16. Hiort, O. (2013, June 7–9). DSDnet: Formation of an open world-wide network on DSD. Paper presented at the 4th International Symposium on Disorders of Sex Development, Glasgow, UK.Google Scholar
  17. Hird, M. J. (2003). Thinking about ‘sex’ in education. Sex Education, 3(3), 187–200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. Jackson, S. (2004). Identifying future research needs for the promotion of young people’s sexual health in New Zealand. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 21, 123–137.Google Scholar
  19. Jones, T. (2013). How sex education research methodologies frame GLBTIQ students. Sex Education, 13(6), 687–701.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Jones, T., & Hillier, L. (2012). Sexuality education school policy for Australian GLBTIQ students. Sex Education, 12(4), 437–454.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Koyama, E., & Weasel, L. (2003). From social construction to social justice: Transforming how we teach about intersexuality. In E. Koyama (Ed.), Teaching intersex issues: A guide for teachers in women’s, gender & queer studies (pp. 2–9). Portland: Intersex Initiative Portland IPDX. Retrieved from http://www.aissg.org/PDFs/Koyama-Teaching-2003.pdf
  22. Lee, P. A., Houk, C. P., Ahmed, S. F., & Hughes, I. A. (2006). Consensus statement on management of intersex disorders. Pediatrics, 118(2), e488–e500.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. Morland, I. (2009). Introduction: Lessons from the octopus. GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies, 15(2), 191–197.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Ollis, D., Harrison, L., & Maharaj, C. (2013). Sexuality education matters: Preparing pre-service teachers to teach sexuality education. Burwood: Faculty of Arts and Education, School of Education, Deakin University.Google Scholar
  25. Organisation Intersex International Australia (OII). (2013). What is intersex? Organisation Intersex International Australia (OII). Retrieved from http://oii.org.au/18106/what-is-intersex/
  26. Organisation Intersex International Australia (OII). (2014a). Intersex for allies. Organisation Intersex International Australia (OII). Retrieved from http://oii.org.au/21336/intersex-for-allies/
  27. Organisation Intersex International Australia (OII). (2014b). Making your service intersex friendly. Organisation Intersex International Australia (OII). Retrieved from http://oii.org.au/26982/making-services-intersex-friendly/
  28. Safe Schools Coalition Victoria (SSCV). (2014a). Resources. Safe Schools Coalition Victoria (SSCV). Retrieved from http://safeschoolscoalitionvictoria.org.au/resources/
  29. Safe Schools Coalition Victoria (SSCV). (2014b). Training. Safe Schools Coalition Victoria (SSCV). Retrieved from http://safeschoolscoalitionvictoria.org.au/training/
  30. Sanjakdar, F. (2009). Teacher talk: The problems, perspectives and possibilities of developing a comprehensive sexual health education curriculum for Australian Muslim students. Sex Education, 45(3), 261–275.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  31. Singh, P. (2001). Speaking about cultural difference and school disadvantage. An interview study of ‘Samoan’ paraprofessionals in designated disadvantaged secondary schools in Australia. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 22(3), 317–337.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. Sullivan, N. (2009). The somatechnics of intersexuality. GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies, 15(2), 313–327.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Vega, S., Crawford, H. G., & Van Pelt, J. L. (2012). Safe schools for LGBTQI students: How do teachers view their role in promoting safe schools? Equity & Excellence in Education, 45(2), 250–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Visootsak, J., & Graham, J. M. (2006). Klinefelter syndrome and other sex chromosomal aneuploidies. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 1(42), 1–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2017

Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License, which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Annette Brömdal
    • 1
  • Mary Lou Rasmussen
    • 2
  • Fida Sanjakdar
    • 3
  • Louisa Allen
    • 4
  • Kathleen Quinlivan
    • 5
  1. 1.School of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and ArtsUniversity of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba CampusToowoombaAustralia
  2. 2.School of Sociology, Research School of Social Sciences, Haydon Allen Building (22)Australian National UniversityCanberraAustralia
  3. 3.Faculty of Education, 29 Ancaro Imparo WayMonash University, Clayton CampusMelbourneAustralia
  4. 4.Faculty of Education and Social WorkUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
  5. 5.School of Educational Studies and Leadership, College of Education, Health and Human DevelopmentUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand

Personalised recommendations

Cite chapter