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How Sex Selection Undermines Reproductive Autonomy.

Tamara Kayali Browne^1,2

¹School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia. tamara.browne@deakin.edu.au.

Journal of Bioethical Inquiry

|March 17, 2017

Summary

Gender essentialism, not biology, drives non-medical sex selection preferences. Unfounded gender norms limit parental and child autonomy, undermining reproductive freedom for parents seeking specific parenting experiences.

Keywords:

Gender Procreative liberty Reproductive autonomy Sex selection Sexism

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Area of Science:

Sociology
Reproductive Health
Gender Studies

Background:

Non-medical sex selection often stems from the belief that sexes are not interchangeable.
Parents selecting a child's sex frequently expect them to adhere to gender stereotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the role of gender essentialism in non-medical sex selection.
To explore how sex selection impacts reproductive autonomy for both parents and children.

Main Methods:

Literature review and critical analysis of existing studies on sex selection and gender norms.
Examination of the concept of reproductive autonomy in the context of sex selection.

Main Results:

Current evidence does not support biological differences (e.g., "male" or "female" brains) dictating gendered traits.
Gender essentialism, societal expectations, and sexism create unfounded assumptions about gender.
These assumptions limit the freedom of parents to have desired parenting experiences and restrict children's autonomy.

Conclusions:

There is no biological basis for sex-specific parenting experiences.
Sex selection, influenced by gender essentialism and social pressures, undermines reproductive autonomy by limiting choices and reinforcing restrictive gender norms.