Caster Semenya: Fair or Unfair

A while back a Dilbert comic had joked about 'How do you fail a Gender test?'. And clearly for the everyday person taking a Gender test seems absurd. Do they check if you shop for make up or power tool?

But this little test in the sporting world is causing a world of misery for a young South African Teenager. Caster Semenya a well built female athlete was questioned of her gender after she won the 800 m world championships by a huge margin.

I cannot help but feel sorry for Semenya and what she is going through. She was born a girl. She was raised a girl. She lives and acts like a girl. Is it really her fault that she might have more testosterone than most girls, or her internal anatomy may not be female. Why should any teenager have to undergo such an embarrassing testing procedure that can be so emotionally overwhelming. Knowing the way social attitudes, and the jeering and ridiculing that can be there - no one wants their gender questioned on an international scale.

Is Gender Testing in sports fair?
Should Semenya have to undergo these tests?
Should there not be more privacy rules? Why not make such testing more discreet and private? Even if there is gender cheating, should it not be done without a media circus and save athletes international embarrassment ?

Related Articles:
https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Runner-embroiled-in-gender-controversy-wanted-to?urn=oly,184455
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009/09/10/2009-09-10_caster_semenya_.html
https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Semenya-withdraws-from-race-amidst-reports-she-s?urn=oly,188930

I heard about this and read articles and such on it, I think its heartbreaking. I can't even begin to imagine the emotional torture she's going through. I think its awful.

To answer your questions, I do not think gender testing is fair in sports, she should not have to undergo this ludicrous procedure, there should most definitely be more privacy surrounding this issue, instead of announcing it on such a grand scale, and nobody deserves such international embarrassment.

^^^^

I know. I can barely imagine the emotional rollercoaster she is going through. Its like having your entire life and identity being shamelessly questioned.

While I can totally understand the pain and embarrassment she is going through, I'm on a fence for supporting gender testing. Let's say we have a competition for only girls. A man in drag may wish to participate their - which will be unfair. So sometimes gender tests are necessary, but then again, it shouldn't make that a public announcement. It should be done with privacy and dignity.

Another thing, if she feels like a girl, acts like a girl, looks like a girl, simply with a male genital, then shouldn't she go for a sex change and become the gender she was meant to be?

did she fail or pass the test?

oh sorry didnt read it carefully...

well yeah if shes a gal whats the need to TEST? ewww

that is too painful for a teen... but 1 qn.. why didnt she just participate in the female championships? :S

Originally posted by: PhoeniXof_Hades

Another thing, if she feels like a girl, acts like a girl, looks like a girl, simply with a male genital, then shouldn't she go for a sex change and become the gender she was meant to be?

True. Firstly since she is externally anatomically female and never felt or though male, the issue did not arise. Secondly she merely has higher testosterone and allegedly absence of ovaries. Nothing that is stopping her from looking and living like a female. Thirdly South Africa is not as technologically and socially advanced.

Finally we come to the ethics of the issue? Is it ok to mess with nature? After all nature made her like that? From my arguments in the past everyone knows that I would support whatever surgical choice she makes - but in real life high profile cases like this choices are difficult.

Originally posted by: gengarjetty2

did she fail or pass the test?

Rumor is she failed. But it is to be confirmed.

Originally posted by: gengarjetty2

oh sorry didnt read it carefully...

well yeah if shes a gal whats the need to TEST? ewww

that is too painful for a teen... but 1 qn.. why didnt she just participate in the female championships? :S

She participated in the female championships. She was born with female genitals and raised a woman. But because she runs faster than any other girl and is built taller and muscular other countries got jealous and reported her to be a man.

Rumor has it that she has high testosterone for a female and internal female sex organs like ovaries are not developed. So she is biologically a hermaphrodite allegedly - but no one would know if she had been an ordinary person (that is untill she could not get pregnant)

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

Finally we come to the ethics of the issue? Is it ok to mess with nature? After all nature made her like that?

Correct; it is horrible to mess up with Nature. Cancer patients should not take highly advanced artificial medicines to defy the natural disease God had bestowed upon them. All artificially produced medicines should be banned as they defy nature and the God-gifted blessings. Oh my, when are human beings going to start living in the cave, naked, feeding on the raw flesh of the just-hunted animals...my, when are computers going to be banned?😛