Narratives of Mexican physicians on gender and sexuality. Its implications to body, sexuality and reproduction regulations

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the links between medical discourses about gender and sexuality and the body, sexual and reproductive regulations displayed in the reproductive health medical settings. Using in-depth interviews with medical practitioners working in public health services in Mexico, we explored the reproductive and sexual practices of the users of these services and the social and professional assignation regarding body care related with sexual relations. The narratives reveal how gender and sexuality discourses and normativities legitimize in the reproductive health services diverse social inequalities, especially those of gender, and those regarding the double sexual standard prevailing in the Mexican society at large. The women emerge in the narratives as saturated of an often “chaotic” sexuality that must be controlled through diverse corporal sexual and reproductive regulations. These regulations impact negatively the recognition of women’s sexual and reproductive autonomy and their sexual and reproductive rights as well.