In what ways is rice body becoming theory helpful

Reference no: EM133277034

Assignment - In "The Spectacle of the Child Woman: Troubling Girls and the Science of Early Puberty," Carla Rice explains that the media coverage and scientific discourse around female puberty "sexualizes girls' early development while disciplining their becoming bodies and sexualities" (p 537). Like many topics, the discourse around puberty is rooted in white supremacy, heteronormativity, ableism, and misogyny. Even the definition of what "normal" puberty is, is largely based on white, able bodies. In one example, a six year old disabled child known as Ashley X received a hysterectomy, mastectomy, and other treatments to prevent puberty. These treatments were given to "match" her body to her mind and to "prevent" abuse. This shows how society places the onus of controlling one's sexuality on the person who may be abused rather than disciplining the actual abusers. It's also alarming how many people are prevented from getting gender-affirming surgeries because of excuses such as fertility; whereas mass infertilization procedures were/ are performed on people of color and disabled people without consent. This double standard as to who is and who isn't allowed to make choices about their own reproductive health highlights the issue of who is given personhood. Historically people of color and disabled people have been stripped of their personhood and placed into the category "abnormal," to uphold white supremist and ableist structures. Therefore much of the medical field views "normal" puberty as following the growth patterns of white, able-bodied people and anything else is a deviation from that norm.

In this article, Rice proposes a body becoming theory of puberty in in which puberty is redefined as a coalescence of biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors from a intrasectional lens. By intersectional, Rice means encompassing many identities and recognizing how they may overlap. In this theory, puberty and the development of gender and sexuality is seen as a much longer process guided by more factors than just the biological.

Questions -

1. In what ways is Rice's body becoming theory helpful and not helpful to dismantling power structures which centers white, heterosexual, thin, able bodies?

2. How do you feel about her intrasectional approach and do you have any critiques?

Reference no: EM133277034

Questions Cloud

Summarize the failure of corporate governance : Summarize the failure of Corporate Governance leading to the Collapse of Bank of Credit and Commerce Int'nl. (BCCI) and General Motor (GM) Bankruptcy.

Notably left outside of negotiators : What affected party (nation) was notably left outside of the negotiators? Where did the negotiations take place and why?

Do you think some people are born leaders : Do you think some people are born leaders and can rise to the top no matter what the situation? What key characteristics do they possess

Which groups benefit the most from trade liberalization : NAFTA-an important sub-regional bloc in the Americas-came to an end in 2018. which groups benefit the most from trade liberalization?

In what ways is rice body becoming theory helpful : In what ways is Rice's body becoming theory helpful and not helpful to dismantling power structures which centers white, heterosexual, thin, able bodies

What is the argument the author is trying to make : An Insiders Revolt against out of control psychiatric diagnosis, DSM-5, big pharma, What is the argument the author is trying to make

The transcaucasus region has served as buffer zone : The Transcaucasus region has served as a buffer zone between Russia, Southwest Asia, and even Europe for centuries and as such,

Why do we forget things : Why do we forget things? Identify some common reasons why people forget things. Why is forgetting the greatest just after learning something

How can people reach their full potential : How can people reach their full potential? How can people change their thinking and behaviors to be less depressed

User Account

All Pages