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Scientifically, hermaphroditism is a term that is mainly used to describe plants, and some species of animals, that can produced both sperm and eggs. There are two types of hermaphroditism: sequential and simultaneous. Sequential hermaphroditism occurs in species in which an individual is born as one sex but can later change into the opposite sex. Simultaneous hermaphroditism occurs when organisms have both male and female reproductive systems at the same time. |
Scientifically, hermaphroditism is a term that is mainly used to describe plants, and some species of animals, that can produced both sperm and eggs. There are two types of hermaphroditism: sequential and simultaneous. Sequential hermaphroditism occurs in species in which an individual is born as one sex but can later change into the opposite sex. Simultaneous hermaphroditism occurs when organisms have both male and female reproductive systems at the same time. |
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Historically, the term hermaphrodite was used in law to refer to people whose sex was in doubt, as well as to describe [[Ambiguous Genitalia|ambiguous genitalia]] and gonadal mosaicism. During the Victorian era, medical authors attempted to ascertain whether or not humans could be hermaphrodites, adopting a precise biological definition to the term.<ref>Reis, Elizabeth (2009). Bodies in Doubt: an American History of Intersex. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 55–81. ISBN 978-0-8018-9155-7</ref> Until the early 21st century, intersex individuals were described as "true hermaphrodites" if their gonadal tissue contained both testicular and ovarian tissue, or as "pseudohermaphrodites" if their external appearance differed from sex expected from internal gonads.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphrodite</ref> |
Historically, the term hermaphrodite was used in law to refer to people whose [[sex]] was in doubt, as well as to describe [[Ambiguous Genitalia|ambiguous genitalia]] and gonadal mosaicism. During the Victorian era, medical authors attempted to ascertain whether or not humans could be hermaphrodites, adopting a precise biological definition to the term.<ref>Reis, Elizabeth (2009). Bodies in Doubt: an American History of Intersex. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 55–81. ISBN 978-0-8018-9155-7</ref> Until the early 21st century, intersex individuals were described as "true hermaphrodites" if their gonadal tissue contained both testicular and ovarian tissue, or as "pseudohermaphrodites" if their external appearance differed from sex expected from internal gonads.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphrodite</ref> |
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Hermaphroditism is no longer used to describe humans and is largely considered a slur, as it is often used to dehumanize, sexualize, and fetishize intersex people who do not fit into the binary sexes. The term promotes inaccurate understandings of intersex people, as intersex variations are a diverse spectrum.<ref>https://isna.org/faq/hermaphrodite/</ref> |
Hermaphroditism is no longer used to describe humans and is largely considered a slur, as it is often used to dehumanize, sexualize, and fetishize intersex people who do not fit into the binary sexes. The term promotes inaccurate understandings of intersex people, as intersex variations are a diverse spectrum.<ref>https://isna.org/faq/hermaphrodite/</ref> |
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