The Five Sexes: Why Male and Female are not Enough

Western culture is deeply committed to the idea that there are only two sexes however one can argue that along the spectrum lie at least five sexes and perhaps even more. According to Plato there once was three sexes; male, female, and hermaphrodite however that was lost with time. Hermaphrodites were told in stories about human origins. Early biblical scholars believed if you began life as a Hermaphrodite then you would later divide into two people- a male and a female. Today in the U.S. sex is determined by state laws. For instance if someone wanted a sex change it could happen if the surgeon performs the correct procedures. It was interesting to read about Emma, the hermaphrodite who was one of Hugh Young's cases. Emma was a wife to a husband but also a boyfriend to some girlfriends on the side. When Young gave he/she the choice to become a man he/she declined because he/she knew he/she was supported by her husband and if he/she were to become a man than he would have to go to work and be the supporter.