emmaisemma
With the exception of emergency separations, there are vary few medical benefits associated the separation of conjoined twins (Dreger 1997). Procedures seek mainly to relieve these supposedly 'abnormal' individuals from the limitations of being 'stuck' to another, restricting their sense of freedom and individualism (more a problem of the Western world- I would like to read about how this results in a different experience of living conjoined in the non- west- any recommendations?) For many there are of course, moral problems, with conjoined twins, not in the least relating to their sex lives; too dangerously close to incest, a huge social taboo.
However looking at the cases of twins that have remained conjoined into adulthood the vast majority (with the exception of two reported cases) talk happily about being conjoined and see it as part of who they are (like women see themselves, despite being socially restricted because of their anatomy- no one seeks to surgically 'fix' women or in fact dark skinned individuals, many of whom are still facing inequality). These surviving twins talk of how they work out ways to get around the 'difficulties'; managing to walk together, alternating days to be in charge and managing the art of being mentally distant allowing the other twin privacy in cases of sexual intimacy. As with all relationships there must be respect, compromise and sacrifices (and we have no reason based on reports to suggest these are any harder to deal with that the ones singletons make in restricting and co- dependent relationships such as marriage and having children) The conjoined twins argue that these 'difficulties', which they just take as daily life, are overruled by the positives, as they are never lonely and some feel more equipt as a double unit to face the world (again this is comparable to a romantic relationship- you only have to look to romantic song lyrics to see how it can be applied to the relationship of conjoined twins (I am by no means suggesting conjoined twins share a romantic or sexual relationship- just similar in term of intensity and intimacy). There have been many cases, such as Eng and Chang, the Chinese twins who coined the term 'siamese twins', where following the death of one twin the other wished to remain connected despite this resulting in their certain premature death and having to be connected to their deceased twin in the meantime.
The way conjoined twins, and more generally those with disabilities are marginalized by society is arguably the root of the problems those with disabilities face, parents agree to separation surgeries because they fear 'locker room' taunting and that their child will not live a normal life; facing career restrictions and romantic problems (fear of both a lack of sexual activity or involvement in sexual activity- supposedly in reaction to the fetishisation of 'such abnormalities'.
Are 'quick fix' of heroic surgeries the answer? Often motivated by the personal prestige of Western surgeons and hospitals involved, should conjoined twins/ parents refuse to undergo dangerous operations to fit into societies idea of what is 'normal'. When looking to history the likelihood is they will live a life perfectly happy with their conjoined body and despite the views of others feel like a fulfilled separate individual.
Any recommended articles/ personal opinions- also on applying Anthropological theories of embodiment to conjoined twins /the western worlds desire to medicalize anatomical differences from intersex/ conjoined twins + depression, not only using it as a paradigm in the West by imposing (all be in willingly in many cases) on the non- West- ‘halo effect’ of ‘heroic’ Western surgeons and perhaps financial gains with the accompanying media attention.
Many Thanks, Emma
However looking at the cases of twins that have remained conjoined into adulthood the vast majority (with the exception of two reported cases) talk happily about being conjoined and see it as part of who they are (like women see themselves, despite being socially restricted because of their anatomy- no one seeks to surgically 'fix' women or in fact dark skinned individuals, many of whom are still facing inequality). These surviving twins talk of how they work out ways to get around the 'difficulties'; managing to walk together, alternating days to be in charge and managing the art of being mentally distant allowing the other twin privacy in cases of sexual intimacy. As with all relationships there must be respect, compromise and sacrifices (and we have no reason based on reports to suggest these are any harder to deal with that the ones singletons make in restricting and co- dependent relationships such as marriage and having children) The conjoined twins argue that these 'difficulties', which they just take as daily life, are overruled by the positives, as they are never lonely and some feel more equipt as a double unit to face the world (again this is comparable to a romantic relationship- you only have to look to romantic song lyrics to see how it can be applied to the relationship of conjoined twins (I am by no means suggesting conjoined twins share a romantic or sexual relationship- just similar in term of intensity and intimacy). There have been many cases, such as Eng and Chang, the Chinese twins who coined the term 'siamese twins', where following the death of one twin the other wished to remain connected despite this resulting in their certain premature death and having to be connected to their deceased twin in the meantime.
The way conjoined twins, and more generally those with disabilities are marginalized by society is arguably the root of the problems those with disabilities face, parents agree to separation surgeries because they fear 'locker room' taunting and that their child will not live a normal life; facing career restrictions and romantic problems (fear of both a lack of sexual activity or involvement in sexual activity- supposedly in reaction to the fetishisation of 'such abnormalities'.
Are 'quick fix' of heroic surgeries the answer? Often motivated by the personal prestige of Western surgeons and hospitals involved, should conjoined twins/ parents refuse to undergo dangerous operations to fit into societies idea of what is 'normal'. When looking to history the likelihood is they will live a life perfectly happy with their conjoined body and despite the views of others feel like a fulfilled separate individual.
Any recommended articles/ personal opinions- also on applying Anthropological theories of embodiment to conjoined twins /the western worlds desire to medicalize anatomical differences from intersex/ conjoined twins + depression, not only using it as a paradigm in the West by imposing (all be in willingly in many cases) on the non- West- ‘halo effect’ of ‘heroic’ Western surgeons and perhaps financial gains with the accompanying media attention.
Many Thanks, Emma