What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and all things nice.
What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails and puppy dog's tails...
Do you remember the old nursery rhyme?
Biography:
This book is the life story (so far) of David Reimer, a man who is now in his thirties. David was one of identical twins born to loving, although uneducated parents in Canada. Both David (or Bruce as he was then known) and his brother Brian were normal, healthy, bouncing babies - until they both began to experience problems urinating.
Their mother took her sons to the family doctor, who diagnosed a condition called phimosis (an unnatural tightness of the foreskin of the penis) and recommended circumcision to ease the problem. The babies were admitted to hospital where, by sheer bad luck, baby Bruce was the first to make the trip to the operating theatre. There an inexperienced junior doctor botched the simple operation, leaving Bruce without a penis. (Needless to say brother Brian's surgery was not performed - he later outgrew his phimosis without medical intervention.) Bruce's parents were obviously distraught, but had resigned themselves to raising a disabled child until they chanced upon a television broadcast by psychosexual 'expert' John Money...
Psychology:
...After seeing Money's broadcast on the subject of gender identity, the Reimer's desperately sought a personal consultation with him. Having seen Bruce, Dr.Money decided that the simplest solution was to surgically remove Bruce's testicles and for his parents to raise him as a girl.
Reassured by Money's confident approach and desperate for a solution, the Reimer's gave their consent and thus Bruce became Brenda.
What the Reimer's hadn't been told was that, whilst Money's techniques had worked in the past for hermaphrodite babies - those born with both male and female sexual organs - this was the first time that he had 'experimented' with a child who's biological sex had been clearly determined at birth.
Thus, much of the book is devoted to the problems 'Brenda' experienced as a 'boy' being raised as a 'girl'. Money's theory was that a baby is born as a "psychosexual blank slate" and that his/her perception of him/herself as a boy/girl is solely dependant on social influences. Thus gender is determined by masculine or feminine names, blue or pink clothes, and toy guns or dolls. 'Brenda's' experiences show that Money was clearly very wrong.
'Brenda', despite having no male or female sexual organs, was a boy, exhibiting nothing but male traits and tendencies, yet trapped in a girl's body.
The book contains details of the many counselling and psychiatric appointments that 'Brenda' had during 'her' childhood, which clearly illustrate the confusion and distress 'she' felt. Also covered in some detail are accounts of research into gender issues and trans sexuality, although the majority of these apply to hermaphrodite children. (These studies are not referenced although most are attributed to named researchers)
From a psychological point of view, this is a fascinating casebook of the age old Nature versus Nurture Debate - how much of a 'self' is predetermined by nature and how much is learned as a result of nurture.
In addition, the story is discussed from the point of view of the other twin, who grew up feeling neglected in favour of his 'sister'. (Indeed both twins were sufficiently unhappy to attempt suicide)
True Crime:
There are hints throughout the book that John Money may have been a paedophile, but, even if he weren't, I think this book qualifies as 'True Crime' - don't you?
Author John Colapinto, a leading investigative journalist, has sourced his material from taped transcripts, psychiatric notes and actual witness statements, with the full co-operation of the Reimer family. His book is illustrated with black and white photographs of Bruce/Brenda/Dave at various stages from babyhood to adulthood, which allows the reader to judge the masculinity/femininity of the child's appearance at different stages of treatment.
Colapinto has produced a masterful book that works on more than one level, both as an interesting biography of a special child and as a detailed commentary on the thorny issues surrounding sexuality and gender identity.
It won't ruin the plot to tell you that Bruce/Brenda has undergone reconstructive surgery, giving him a prosthetic penis and testicles - although he will obviously never be able to father children. He is now living his adult life as David (a man) and is married to Jane(a woman). They have stepchildren, to whom David is an excellent father.
This is a remarkable story of manipulation. Of a man 'playing God' with disastrous consequences. Little boys (and little girls too) seem to be born - not made. David is living proof.
Publisher: Quartet Books
ISBN:0704381370
Price: £10.00 p/b
Date Reviewed: July 2002
My Rating: 4/5
