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KMID : 1172020230240020001
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Journal of Korean Bioethics Association
2023 Volume.24 No. 2 p.1 ~ p.18
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Medical and cultural status of the uterus: A collaborative Autoethnography
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Oh Duk-Lyoul
Shim Ji-Won
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Abstract
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This paper critically approaches the strong relationship between women and the uterus in Korean society, discussing it in the context of uterine vaccines, menstruation, and cervical cancer. The two authors, each of different genders, explored the meaning of the uterus based on their personal experiences. The female author examined the process of deciding to undergo a hysterectomy due to a uterine condition, while the male author observed his mother, who chose not to have her uterus removed despite having uterine cancer. The direct and indirect experiences with the uterus of the two authors of different genders enabled a 'collaborative autoethnography'. This paper examines the medical and cultural status of the uterus through 1) whether naturalness and side effects can be a basis for opposing hysterectomy, 2) menstruation as a
substitute for femininity, and 3) the discourse on 'artificial uteri' and the significance of 'cervical cancer vaccines'. Through these discussions, it criticizes the perspective of assessing women's normality based on the presence or absence of a uterus. The paper argues that the discourse on the uterus should extend beyond its connection to women and femininity, including future discussions on issues such as the rights of disabled people, the removal of uteri from disabled women without their consent, pregnancy and reproduction in transgender men, uterine transplants, and artificial uteri in future societies.
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KEYWORD
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Uterus, menstruation, women, men, collaborative Autoethnography
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