David Reimer A Case study in Psychology

The John/Joan Case

1. DAVID REIMER (The ‘John/Joan’ Case) A CASE STUDY.

2. DAVID REIMER (1965 – 2004) b orn as Bruce Reimer , twin brother of Brain Reimer, to parents; to Janet and Ronald Reimer When 8 months old- unsuccessful circumcision - resulting in a burnt off penis Turned to advise of Dr. John Money , John Hopkins University, specializing in gender identity

3. DAVID REIMER Dr. Money suggested sex change operation Vulva construction and hormone supplements were given A sked them to raise him as a female BRUCE REIMER BRENDA REIMER

4. JOHN MONEY’s AGENDA He wanted to prove Babies are gender neutral up to 2 years Nurture is greater than nature He called the brothers for sessions at different stages

5. DAVID REIMER However, Brenda had difficulties in living as a girl Was bullied at school Finally, her parents told her the truth when she was 14 years old. Brenda got double mastectomy BRENDA REIMER DAVID REIMER Married ‘Jane’ and became step-father for 3 children

6. MILTON DIAMOND AND JOHN COLAPINTO In 1997, David publicized his story with Dr. Milton Diamond John Colapinto published an interview of David in Rolling Stones In 2001, Mr.Colapinto wrote “As Nature Made Him”

7. DAVID REIMER KILLED HIMSELF IN 2004, WITH A SHOT GUN. ‘Most suicides, experts say, have multiple motives, which come together in a perfect storm of misery. So it was with David .’(Colapinto,2005)

8. ETHICAL CONCERNS? AND WHY?

9. REFERENCES: Colapinto , J. (1997). The True Story of John/Joan. Rolling Stone, 54-97 . Colapinto , J.( 2001). As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl . Harper Perinnia Diamond, Milton; Sigmundson , HK (1997 ).  Sex reassignment at birth: Long term review and clinical implications.

10. THANK YOU.