Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lao Wai]

I just finished reading this book. Completely fascinating! I had heard about this story a couple of years ago, but didn't really know a lot about it.

In case you don't know, it's the story of David Reimer. He was born an identical twin with his brother Brian. During a "routine" circumcision David (Bruce, his name at birth) had his male organ literally burned off by a cauterizing instrument. His distraught parents eventually turned to a renowned sex researcher named Dr. Money. Money suggested they have David (Bruce) castrated and turned into a girl (with the construction of a rudimentary vagina). The parents agreed. It was done, and David (Bruce) became Brenda, and was raised as a girl and was never told of "her" birth origins until many years later.

It was reported in the psychiatric journals as a success, and proof that gender identity and sexuality are socialized rather than being biological. The old, Nature vs. Nurture debate. Well, what nobody knew for years was that the whole procedure was a complete, unequivocal disaster. Brenda totally rejected being a girl, and fought acting like one her whole childhood even though she did not know the circumstances of her birth.

Completely fascinating book. If you have access to it, you should read it.

As an afterthought, I probably should have put this in the off-topic forum. Sorry!

[peony]

sad life...

[Freezer Burn]

If it isn't a biological malfunction, would people actually put themselves through the circus freak mentality that society places on Transgendered people.
Men or Women who want to change sex go through numerous painful surgerys, also having to live as the opposite sex for a year before they are even approved for the operation.
I just can;t see someone going through all that if it wasn't a physical, biological need to be the opposite sex.

[Lao Wai]

Ah man....I had no idea that he killed himself....never heard about it on the news. I just looked up the story on the net. That's terrible. I really thought that he was able to move on with his life. I personally feel that gender identity and sexuality are biologically determined. That doesn't mean you can't alter your behaviour, and sleep with someone of either sex (i.e. Anne Heche), but for the most part, I think it's a biological matter.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I'm confused. The OP said his name was changed to Brenda, but in the second post, David --> Brenda--> David is married to Jane. Did someone delete a key post that would explain this?

[Lao Wai]

Brenda eventually found out she had been born a boy, and quickly changed back into one. He chose the name David (not Bruce, his original name). Eventually, he married a woman named Jane, who had three children from previous relationships.

Here's a link to an article regarding David's suicide, written by the author of the book I originated this post with.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2101678/#ContinueArticle

[Ya-ta Boy]