Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex

This book has been equal parts infuriating and fascinating. People have a history of being less than kind to those who diverge from the norm, and intersexuals are no different. Due to the historical focus of this book, and horrible treatment of intersexuals, possible triggers for readers of this history include abuse of social power, forcible surgery, and other intersexual issues, as well as the discussion and use of the historical language of intersex. The author uses these terms, stories, and social treatments in discussing historical views of intersex individuals, and in no way advocates their use.I came across this book when looking through research articles for a paper on intersexuality. I ordered the book and immediately found it engaging and well-written. A good book makes you feel things, and this is a text one can easily get emotionally involved in.Reis has research enough to back up her claims, but never lets her writing feel tedious or dry. Photos are included in the chapters; she discusses her feelings on this aspect, and her ultimate decision to proceed with their inclusion, showing readers the consideration put into writing this book. While you may not agree with some of her decisions, you can certainly understand her reasons for them.It used to be believed that “maternal imagination” was to blame for intersexuality and disabilities in children. Mothers were encouraged to abstain from any impure or unusual thoughts, for fear that it would affect the unborn child. This thinking was largely a result of religious values and an ignorance of anatomy (especially of females). Any child of unusual mentality or physical body was considered a monster, and contributed to legends, mythology, and a fear of women.Bodies in Doubt discusses a history of social commitment to heterosexuality through gender expression and marriage; intersexed individuals had to claim total male or femaleness. Throughout various time periods, this was based on everything from expression and attraction to biological factors such as bodily appearance and chromosomes. Their personal identity did not usually matter as much as other factors, as their relationships had to reflect heterosexual values since the institution of marriage was more important than an individual’s happiness.Sexual urges also had an effect on gender identity. In the presence of sexual urges, the individual took on a male identity; a lack of sexual urges led to a female status. Intersexuals also produced a social fear of the ability to change gender or race, and thus disrupt the social order and power structure.As debates shifted from the concept of mind to that of matter, some argued for gonadal importance, while others pushed for psychological testing to determine gender. Mentally healthy individuals were heterosexual individuals, and there were differing opinions on what aspect of an individual made them heterosexual. Ambiguous genitalia eventually came to be classified as a medical emergency.This history is an infuriating read due to the past treatment of intersex individuals, but it is also an important one. Knowing our history can help us to learn how to approach these issues in our future, and fix the problems of the present. Bodies in Doubt is a lesson in the treatment and discussion of gender and bodies, and provides a glimpse at different attitudes and ideas on the topic to educate our conversations on the matter.

I thought this book would be just about hermaphrodites, but it's scope is the much larger question of societal response to things not well understood. The historical chapters paint a not so pleasant picture of a lack of compassion and acceptance. New medical understanding have soften attitudes, as has American society's melting pot culture.Recently, a woman who had a partial sex change operation into a man has been in the news having babies. This book ignores sensationalism for solid research and well written prose.Bravo

This book provides a fantastic history of the Intersex movement. For those who think that Intersex conditions are a modern invention, you will have to prepare to have your world rocked. Reis provides a great analysis of medical documents dating back to early American history. By examining these documents she positions Intersex patients not as abnormal, but as a normal human difference. She examines the cyclical nature of doctor's views on Intersex conditions, then provides her own thoughts on how the 21st-century deals with these conditions. All in all, a five-star book.

An excellent monograph and text to a much neglected topic

Reis's account of intersexuality in America is well-documented, humanely written and deeply relevant to current questions of gender, sexuality and personal identity.

Very useful information, not enough has been written on this topic.

As the title indicates, this book is a research based intellectual exploration of what happens to people in American society when their body or gender identity do not conform to the norms of heterosexual male or female identities. Dr. Reis' book is an essential piece of historical and sociological perspectives on intersex conditions and their place in American medical history. She smartly weaves historical documentation with narratives and perspectives on sexism, heterosexism, and transphobia that come up when trans or interesexed individuals seek medical attention. Finding research, especially unbiased and accurate historical research, on these issues is both tedious and mostly fruitless; making this work particularly valuable to any educator or student working on intersex or trans issues in history. In a perfect world this book would be featured in all medical history classes or better yet in all history classes in general. Reis' dedication and hard work truly paid off in what I believe to be her best work to date. A must purchase!

I read this book for my Ph.D. exam (one of my minor fields is gender) and it's absolutely one of my favorites. Fascinating and well written...