Cultural and social issues of maleness and the penis
The range of things that can go wrong in the external genitalia and the way the penis may look and function, is an area bound up with images of maleness (or femaleness). The penis is so central to sexuality and sexual satisfaction that it has even influenced medical treatment. Since the mid 1950s and until quite recently, a child with a micropenis would be surgically realigned to a female and hormones given to enhance that change.
Many would argue that the decision was underpinned by the idea that was essentially, culturally and socially led, that a man must have a ‘normal’ penis size to be a man. Size really did seem to matter.
The medical establishment has responded to the changing attitudes on gender and sex, social and cultural issues, increased genetic information and medical advances, research and from information from relevant pressure and support groups. Treatment options are no longer as straight forward as they used to be. Society does expect male or female. If a child waits until it is old enough to make a decision there is obviously the potential for confusion, upset, teasing and bullying. A great deal of thoughtful and emotional support will be required
Research and Micro Penis
Although research in this complex area is relatively lacking, there have been a few long term studies that have found that most boys raised as boys have strong male identity. Most end up as sexually active and enjoy sex and satisfy their partners. More comprehensive research is needed to give a clearer picture of people’s lives who have micropenis, or who have had treatment decided for them, been assigned gender with or without surgery.
