John Colapinto\'s book As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised a Girl introdu

Question

John Colapinto's book As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised a Girl introduces you to a story that examines the role of nature and nurture as influences on gender identity. David Reimer (Bruce Reimer) was unknowingly born a male but raised as a female. By comparison, Jennifer Boylan's autobiographical book She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders immerses you in the turmoil of her gender identity disorder and takes you through her transformation from male to female. In this paper, I would like you to use some of the scientific theories of gender identity in order to compare and contrast the relative influence of nature and nurture for David Reimer and Jennifer Boylan. Consider whether nature and nurture had the same relative influence in both cases or whether they were in stark contrast to each other. Be careful, as this is a deceptively simple paper! On the surface it seems very straight forward, but many issues need to be taken into consideration when addressing the following questions:
What does being a boy/girl/man/woman mean to David Reimer and Jennifer Boylan? Is this a result of nature or nurture?
What signaled gender to David Reimer and Jennifer Boylan (e.g., body parts, clothing, toys, friends, lovers)?
Both David and Jennifer define and ultimately redefine their gender. How does this work both within and against complex social and cultural forces?

The paper should be 8-10 double-spaced typed pages, using 12 point Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins and written in APA style. Paper must also include a minimum of 4 scholarly source.

Explanation / Answer

What does being a boy/girl/man/woman mean to David Reimer and Jennifer Boylan? Is this a result of nature or nurture?

What signaled gender to David Reimer and Jennifer Boylan (e.g., body parts, clothing, toys, friends, lovers)?

Both David and Jennifer define and ultimately redefine their gender. How does this work both within and against complex social and cultural forces?

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