Is it true that about 1.7 percent of the population is intersex, similar to the prevalence of natural-born redheads?
Final answer: The statement that about 1.7 percent of the population is intersex, comparable to the prevalence of natural-born redheads, is true based on the cited research.
Understanding Intersex Population
Intersex is a term used to describe individuals with variations in sex chromosomes or traits that do not fit typical male or female definitions. According to the research by Anne Fausto-Sterling, it's accurate that about 1.7 percent of births involve babies whose sex characteristics do not clearly align with traditional definitions of male or female, thus classifying them as intersex. This condition is indeed as common as being a natural-born redhead.
Variations in Intersex Individuals
Intersex individuals may present a diverse range of variations in sex chromosomes, such as the presence of XXY chromosomes, or in sex traits and reproductive anatomy which may be recognized at birth or later in life.
Difference from Transgenderism
In contrast to intersex, transgenderism refers to gender identity and concerns the psychological identification of individuals, not their biological sex traits. A source estimates that two to five percent of the U.S. population is transgender. These distinct categories speak to the broader spectrum of human biological and gender variance that challenges the binary notion of sex and gender.