Authors
Eileen Joy, Katrina Roen, Tove Lundberg
Publication date
2023/12/1
Journal
Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work
Volume
35
Issue
4
Pages
45-58
Publisher
Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
Description
Introduction
This article draws on understandings from reproductive justice, crip and queer theories to discuss gonadectomy for children and young people with gonadal variations. Gonadectomy is sometimes performed on people with gonadal variations without their free and informed consent. Some parents report experiencing pressure to consent to such surgery when their children are young. We understand this to be an issue of reproductive justice.
Method
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of affected children and young people (n = 13). Thematic coding was used to identify data relating to gonads, ovaries, testes and gonadectomy. The data were analysed using discursive questions drawn from a reproductive justice framework.
Analysis
Parents' talk about gonads suggests a process of sense-making that can be emotionally challenging. Our analysis situates their talk within broader …