Abstract

Young people born with variations in sex characteristics (VSC) or disorders of sex development (DSD) face numerous challenges in navigating issues relating to identity and to their lived and embodied experience. There is limited published research amplifying the voices of young people with a VSC, especially from Aotearoa/New Zealand. This qualitative study provides an up-to-date picture of the lived experience of 10 young people with a VSC in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The research was conducted in collaboration with the advocacy group, Intersex Youth Aotearoa, and explored the level of support provided by health services, peers and advocacy groups in relation to the ways the participants viewed themselves and their bodies, and their health related decision-making. Findings reveal the pressure on young people with a VSC to conform to cultural and societal norms, specifically, heteronormative and traditional constructs of how male and female bodies should look in Aotearoa/NZ society. Such views, often held and perpetuated by health professionals and parents, contributed to complexities surrounding identity, agency and acceptance of difference experienced by these young people. The implications of these findings are discussed, including the need for better psychological and peer support for young people.

摘要

出生时具有性别特征差异 (VSC) 或性发育障碍 (DSD) 的年轻人在处理与身份以及他们的生活和具体体验相关的问题时面临着许多挑战。有限的已发表研究放大了患有 VSC 的年轻人的声音，尤其是来自新西兰的 Aotearoa。这项定性研究提供了新西兰 Aotearoa 患有 VSC 的 10 名年轻人的最新生活经历。该研究是与倡导团体 Intersex Youth Aotearoa 合作进行的，并探讨了卫生服务、同伴和倡导团体提供的支持水平与参与者看待自己和身体的方式以及与健康相关的决策有关. 调查结果揭示了患有 VSC 的年轻人在遵守文化和社会规范方面面临的压力，特别是在 Aotearoa/NZ 社会中男性和女性身体应该如何看待的异性恋和传统结构。这种观点通常由卫生专业人员和父母持有和延续，导致围绕这些年轻人所经历的身份、能动性和接受差异的复杂性。讨论了这些发现的影响，包括需要为年轻人提供更好的心理和同伴支持。代理和接受这些年轻人所经历的差异。讨论了这些发现的影响，包括需要为年轻人提供更好的心理和同伴支持。代理和接受这些年轻人所经历的差异。讨论了这些发现的影响，包括需要为年轻人提供更好的心理和同伴支持。