Humanities Homework Help

1. Intersex and Binarism.

According to the article we read in class by Anne Fausto-Sterling, the standard medical literature uses the term “intersex” to refer to what three categories? Please define each 2 term medically. How do these terms associate with the definition of “intersex” provided by Giorgiann Davis in her book Contesting Intersex? Meaning, what does Dr. Davis say about the ways in which medical definitions of intersex often have unintended negative consequences? Discuss “biological citizenship” in your essay.

2. Birth and the Birthing Body 

What is the “obstetrical dilemma”, what did it mean for our hominid ancestors who lived in the Pleistocene, and how does it relate to birthing position? Given all of our detailed discussions in class and the film that you viewed, The Business of Being Born, describe some of the major differences between the traditional “hospital” model of birth versus the “midwife” or “home birth” model of birth. Be sure to discuss the stages of birth – the best you can – and how they relate to the types of care that are given and when. Also, be sure to bring in discussion of how the US is different in our birth practices and outcomes.