John Money

John William Money (8 July 1921 – 7 July 2006) was a New Zealand psychologist, sexologist, and author who gained international fame for his research into sexual identity and biology of gender. He was one of the first scientists to study the psychology of sexual fluidity and how the societal constructs of "gender" affect an individual. Money introduced several influential concepts, including "gender identity," "gender role," and "sexual orientation," which have become foundational in the fields of sexology and psychology.

Early Life and Education

John Money was born in Morrinsville, New Zealand, to a family of English and Welsh descent. He attended the University of Otago, where he initially studied psychology. Money's interest in the field of sexology developed during his time at Otago, leading him to pursue further studies abroad. He moved to the United States to continue his education, earning a Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University in 1952.

Career

After completing his doctorate, Money joined the faculty at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. There, he became a key figure in the establishment of the Johns Hopkins Gender Identity Clinic in 1965. Money's work at the clinic focused on individuals experiencing gender dysphoria and he was among the first to advocate for and perform sex reassignment surgery as a treatment for what he termed "gender identity disorder."

Money's research extended beyond gender identity and included studies on sexual orientation, paraphilias, and the concept of "lovemaps," a term he coined to describe an individual's specific pattern of sexual arousal and love. Throughout his career, Money published extensively, authoring over 40 books and numerous articles in the field of sexology.

Controversy

Despite his contributions to sexology and psychology, John Money's career was not without controversy. The most notable controversy surrounded his involvement in the case of David Reimer, also known as the John/Joan case. In the late 1960s, after a botched circumcision, Money advised the Reimer family to raise their son David as a girl, Brenda. Money believed that gender identity was primarily learned and that the Reimer case could prove that nurture, rather than nature, determined gender identity. However, as Brenda grew older, she struggled with her gender identity and eventually transitioned back to living as a male, David. The case raised ethical and scientific questions about gender identity and the treatment of intersex and transgender individuals, significantly impacting Money's reputation.

Legacy

John Money's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of sexology and psychology, particularly in the study of gender identity and sexual orientation. Despite the controversies, his concepts of gender identity, gender role, and sexual orientation have contributed to a greater understanding of the complexity of human sexuality. Money's research has paved the way for more inclusive attitudes towards sexual and gender diversity.

Selected Publications

• Man & Woman, Boy & Girl (1972)
• Gay, Straight, and In-Between: The Sexology of Erotic Orientation (1988)
• Lovemaps: Clinical Concepts of Sexual/Erotic Health and Pathology, Paraphilia, and Gender Transposition in Childhood, Adolescence, and Maturity (1986)

See Also

• Gender dysphoria
• Sex reassignment surgery
• Sexual orientation
• Intersex