In the case of intersexed bodies, where a person’s genitalia, reproductive organs, or chromosomal patterns do not match the accepted medical definition of male or female, physicians are generally able to provide medical intervention and (re)construct the “right genitals” to compliment successful socialization. Gender ambiguities are “curable” and can be “remedied” to conform to the “culturally indisputable gender dichotomy” (Kessler, 1990:24), where the process of gendering is governed by the law, religion, science discourse and societal expectations (Lorber, 1994:46).
Heteronormativity pervades all social …show more content…
Despite the fact that testosterone levels are associated with strength and muscle size and therefore cannot be used to universally “rank” athletic capabilities across different individuals (Jordan-Young and Karkazis, 2012), the IOC still equates a “masculine appearance” with “maleness”. This cultural thinking endorses the persistent scrutiny of female athletes who do not conform to hegemonic standards of beauty and