Case Study on Gender Discrimination Research Paper

Case Study on Gender Discrimination - Research Paper Example In order to deal with the issue, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1968 launched a sex-testing initiative â€Å"to protect women against unfair competition† (Woolum, 1998, 52). The sex-testing program was initiated due to the belief on the superiority of males in sports: female athletes would be at a disadvantaged position over their male counterparts in men’s events, and male athletes taking part in women’s competitions would have an undeniable advantage; hence, female athletes must be safeguarded against male athletes participating in their competitions. Hence, all athletes participating in women’s competitions should be subjected to various tests to identify and make sure of the athlete’s sex. This essay presents a case study of a fictional female athlete undergoing sex test prior to participation in the Olympic games. This female athlete is currently the fastest woman in the world. She achieved world fame due to her feats in track and field. However, suspicions about her true sex arose because of her masculine physical appearance, movements, and voice. Physical Description of the Athlete and Brief Notes about her Performance Jane Doe is 27 years old with a height of 5ft and 7 in and weight of 80 lbs. Her event is 100m sprint. She is single and professes to be a virgin. She says she has not dated any man and did not experience having any boyfriend. She is muscular but noticeably thin. She has short hair. She has very small breasts and no underarm and facial hair. She has a flat abdomen but large muscle formation around the thighs and legs, which is expected of a track and field athlete. She won 35 gold in track and field. She ran the 100 meters in 13 seconds in Madison Square Garden; won a gold medal for Sydney in the Olympics in the 50-yard dash with a first-time record of 12 seconds; and completed 100 yards in 9 seconds. Because of these remarkable performances, Jane Doe became a household name. For 6 years, she won more than 200 medals in important track-and-field competitions. Tests Performed on Jane Doe and Results of the Tests In Jane Doe’s sex test, the examiners obtained cell samples from her cheek’s mucous membrane, or also called ‘buccal smear’, then stain them and check them up for Barr bodies. If the subject is a female, with XX chromosomes, the bodies will appear, resulting in a positive result (Schaffer & Smith, 2000, 135). If uncertainties exist, examiners will scan cells not for Barr bodies, but for the lack of Y chromatin. In the case of Jane Doe, the examiners stain the cells and study them thoroughly. The elongated section of the Y-chromosome comes into view as a clear stain. If this stain did not appear, Jane Doe will be allowed to take part in the competitions. The result for these two tests is both positive, which confirms Jane Doe’s femininity. But the application of these tests became very controversial. Some scholars claim that sex chromatin testing does not identify females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic disorder (Evelyn, 2011). Jane Doe was hence examined for the said disorder. It was found out that she ha s it. She has 22 pairs of autosomes and a pair of X-chromosomes, the normal chromosomal balance in females, yet has an unusual muscle power and masculine physique (Sullivan, 2011). This disorder is caused by a genetic biochemical deficiency that affects the adrenal glands abnormally, making it incapable of transforming

Free writing ... romance letter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Free writing ... romance letter - Essay Example When I least expected, I met this girl. Out of no where, this girl planted a seed inside of me, a seed of many qualities. Not only did her personality attract me, but the seed told me that she was no ordinary girl. This seed was a seed of class and sophistication. She was one kind of a girl, the kind that can keep one mesmerized. Whether the seed was planted in the heart or elsewhere, I couldn’t figure it out. In simple words, I knew one thing; this was a very precious pearl buried deep in the sea, bringing a glimmer of light to the very depths of the ocean. This girl happened to be on the other side of the river, where the grass always seems to be greener. I was not sure whether I was watching her or I was meditating, she seemed like a butterfly fluttering away in all her magical beauty. I never thought I could have it in me to cross the river, being someone who would always discourage people for carrying out such an act. Despite all this something ignited within me, I was driven, I was carried away. The other side had always remained a mystery. Could this girl be really beautiful or just an illusion? When I reached the other side, I realized there’s more to her than meets the eye. This was a discovery I had to make alone. Quite a journey! I kept knowing more and more.. things I would never knew if I didnt choose this path. For example, I knew that journey was not a choice.. it was something that I had to... I also knew this could be the most amazing journey. Literally, I discovered beautiful things in life for the first time. Remember I was telling you about my idea of a prefect girl. Well, this girl was out of this world. She superseded all past and future thoughts.. all qualities I had imagined about a true lady. She is definitely "too good to be true". I no longer need to find more attributes. She made it easier. She whispered "here I am, just draw me†¦think of me...Im all the answers you need.