Gender row athlete: What is intersexuality?
One of the most popular things children want to be when they grow up is a super star athlete. Well a rare genetic disorder know as intersex may stop some children from even attempting that dream. Should future athletes be punished for something that is out of their control?
A South African athlete
Caster Semenya is an 18-year-old track athlete who won an 800-meter race and
won a gold metal for her efforts. Following, her win, it was announced that she
would be tested by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)
to determine if she is a male of female. Is this fair to Semenya?
Intersex protesters feel
like doctors should not make the decision for the baby. I completely disagree,
doctors should make the decision based on the chromosomes; really look at if
the baby is leaning toward being a male or female.
To me, this will make it
easier for the child. As soon as the child is old enough I would tell them the
situation and maybe get them into counseling if need be. Think of it as telling
the child they are adopted. Yes, that child may be confused at first but with
counseling, the child can better understand the circumstances.
As for Semenya, this is a
tough situation because I think of it as one of two ways. Even though she is
born with both male and female parts, if she chooses to be a female, does that
put other female athletes at a disadvantage? If she chooses to be a male, does
that put her at a disadvantage? These are things that you all have to consider.
That’s why I feel like you should
make the decision based on the chromosomes. I feel like that is the best way to
even out the playing field. It is not fair to just completely say that intersex
athletes can’t be a part of athletic events.
I believe that it was fair to question and test Semenya about her sex. I do not discriminate against intersex people but I believe that they need to choose a sex before competing in athletic events. If she wanted to be female then she could compete with the females and same if she chose to be a male. This is the only way it was fair to the other athletes. I also believe that it is the doctor’s place to choose the sex for intersex children if the parents wish to not let the child remain intersex. I do not think that the parents should just be able to decide the baby’s sex because of the sex that they would prefer. This is not fair to the child and will only leave them feeling confused.
ReplyDelete