'They did not have a word': the parental quest to locate a 'true sex' for their intersex children

Gough, B., Weyman, N., Alderson, J., Butler, G. and Stoner, M. (2008) 'They did not have a word': the parental quest to locate a 'true sex' for their intersex children. Psychology & Health, 23 (4). pp. 493-507. ISSN 0887-0446 doi: 10.1080/14768320601176170

Abstract/Summary

Given the paucity of research in this area, the primary aim of this study was to explore how parents of infants with unclear sex at birth made sense of 'intersex'. Qualitative methods were, used (semi-structured interviews, interpretative phenomenological analysis) with 10 parents to generate pertinent themes and provide ideas for further research. Our analysis highlights the fundamental shock engendered by the uncertain sex status of children, and documents parental struggles to negotiate a coherent sex identity for their children. Findings are discussed in light of the rigid two-sex system which pervades medicine and everyday life, and we argue that greater understanding of the complexity of sex and gender is required in order to facilitate better service provision and, ultimately, greater informed consent and parental participation regarding decisions about their children's status.