John Money

John Money was a renowned New Zealand-born American psychologist and sexologist who made significant contributions to the fields of psychology, sexology, and gender studies. His work was heavily influenced by Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, and Alfred Kinsey, and he was a prominent figure at Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Money's research and theories on gender identity and sexual orientation were widely discussed and debated among scholars, including Simone de Beauvoir, Erving Goffman, and Michel Foucault. He was also associated with the Kinsey Institute and the American Psychological Association.

● Early Life and Education

John Money was born in Morrinsville, New Zealand, and grew up in a family of Pākehā descent. He developed an interest in psychology and philosophy at an early age, and went on to study at Victoria University of Wellington and University of Otago. Money later moved to the United States to pursue his graduate studies at Harvard University, where he was influenced by the works of Gordon Allport and Henry Murray. He also spent time at the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University Bloomington, working with Alfred Kinsey and other prominent researchers in the field of sexology, including Clelia Duel Mosher and Havelock Ellis.

● Career

Money's career spanned several decades and included appointments at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, and the University of Otago. He was a prolific researcher and published numerous papers on topics such as gender identity, sexual orientation, and paraphilia, often collaborating with scholars like Richard Green and Robert Stoller. Money was also a popular lecturer and taught courses on human sexuality and gender studies at institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the New York Academy of Medicine. His work was recognized by organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, and he was awarded the Masters and Johnson Award for his contributions to the field of sexology.

● Research and Theories

Money's research focused on the development of gender identity and sexual orientation, and he proposed several theories to explain these phenomena, including the concept of gender role and the idea of neutrois. He also studied the effects of hormones and brain structure on gender identity and sexual behavior, often citing the work of researchers like Harry Benjamin and Christine Jorgensen. Money's theories were influenced by the work of scholars such as Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, and Jean Piaget, and he was critical of the views of Lawrence Kohlberg and Urie Bronfenbrenner. His research was also informed by the work of feminist scholars like Simone de Beauvoir and Betty Friedan, and he was associated with the Women's Liberation Front and the Gay Liberation Front.

● David Reimer Case

One of the most notable cases studied by Money was that of David Reimer, a Canadian man who was born as a male but was raised as a female after a botched circumcision. Money's treatment of Reimer, which involved hormone therapy and psychological counseling, was widely publicized and sparked a debate about the nature of gender identity and sexual orientation. The case was also studied by researchers like Milton Diamond and Keith Sigmundson, and it was cited in the work of scholars such as Anne Fausto-Sterling and Judith Butler. Money's handling of the case was criticized by some, including David Reimer himself, who later spoke out about the trauma he experienced as a result of the treatment, and was supported by organizations like the Intersex Society of North America.

● Criticism and Controversy

Money's work was not without controversy, and he was criticized by some for his views on gender identity and sexual orientation. Some scholars, such as Janice Raymond and Sheila Jeffreys, argued that Money's theories were sexist and homophobic, and that they perpetuated harmful stereotypes about women and LGBTQ+ individuals. Money was also criticized for his treatment of intersex individuals, and for his support of sex reassignment surgery as a treatment for gender dysphoria. The controversy surrounding Money's work was fueled by the feminist and LGBTQ+ rights movements, and it was influenced by the work of scholars such as Michel Foucault and Judith Butler, who were associated with the University of Paris and the University of California, Berkeley.

● Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Money continued to work as a researcher and clinician, and he remained a prominent figure in the field of sexology. He was recognized for his contributions to the field with numerous awards, including the Masters and Johnson Award and the Kinsey Award. Money's legacy is complex and multifaceted, and his work continues to be studied and debated by scholars today, including researchers at the Kinsey Institute and the American Psychological Association. His influence can be seen in the work of scholars such as Leonard Sax and J. Michael Bailey, and his theories continue to shape our understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as the work of organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Money remains a significant figure in the history of sexology and gender studies, and his contributions to the field continue to be felt at institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, Los Angeles. Category:Psychologists