Gender:  In the Genes or in the Jeans?

Section B

Dr. Hunter told Terry that she was born with a condition called "Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome," and that when she was a baby, nonfunctional testes were found in her abdomen and removed to prevent the development of cancer.

"You haven’t menstruated because you don’t have ovaries or a uterus," she said. "And you won’t be able to have children. You know those ’vitamins’ your parents make you take that were prescribed by Dr. Jacobs? Those are really female hormones, to give your body a more feminine appearance. And it obviously works! You’re a perfectly healthy young woman in every other way. "

Terry was thoughtful as she left the doctor’s office and hopped on the bus to David’s house.

"I just had to talk to someone," she said. "I had been wondering about this for so long, and now it seems like a relief, in a sense, to know what the truth is. The doctor explained that I won’t be able to have children, but I could always adopt. But I’m so mad at my parents! How could they not tell me this? They knew I had that operation as a baby. I mean, it’s my body! Were they trying to protect me or something? What did they think, that if I knew I couldn’t get pregnant, I would be having sex all over the place? I’m not a baby anymore. Shouldn’t I be the one to say what’s for my own good?"

Terry had been rattling on, trying to get out her many mixed-up thoughts, but now she stopped for a breath and looked at David for support.

He was just staring at her. When he finally spoke, the words came out slowly, "You mean ... I’ve been dating ... a boy?"

Questions

1. Most people have a sex that is consistent on all levels: genetic, gonadal, internal genitals, external genitals. But sometimes there are discrepancies, as we’ve seen. In these cases, how should one determine whether a person is considered male or female? Is Terry a male or a female?
    
2. At what age should adults tell a child that he or she has such discrepancies?
    
3. Adults often make medical decisions about young children, such as the decision to remove gonads that have the potential to become cancerous. Who should be responsible for making such decisions, the physician or the parent? Or would you say that neither has that right? Should they wait until the child is old enough to decide?
    
4. Is it legal for Terry to marry? If Terry becomes engaged, should he/she tell her future husband/wife?
    
5. What is the likelihood that Terry’s siblings are affected by this condition?

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