Paula Martin @ USL
“FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE: Risk, Regret, and Responsibility”
Paula Martin | PhD Candidate, Comparative Human Development
Discussant: Jade Wong | PhD Candidate, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice
Wednesday, December 1st, 4:30-6:00pm
Location: Haskell Hall 101 & on Zoom
To receive a copy of the pre-circulated paper & for the Zoom link, please email: zarrington@uchicago.edu
Paper Abstract: This dissertation chapter investigates the framing of THE REST OF YOUR LIFE in order to explore the logics of risk, regret, and responsibility that structure how gender care is provided to youth after puberty. I argue that much of gender care is oriented around two major risks to be prevented: the risk of regret, and the risk of suicide. In the work of providing care that manages those risks, I show how parents, youth, providers, and the state distribute responsibility for the perpetually uncertain outcomes of interventions. Drawing attention to how youth are cultivated as in need of protection (from themselves and from others), as well as to the embedded privileging of cisgender embodiment, the chapter illustrates inherent instabilities within discourses of regret, and highlights the importance of care which attends to potential as well as prevention.
*This convening is open to all invitees regardless of vaccination status and, because of ongoing health risks to the unvaccinated, those who are unvaccinated are expected to adopt the risk mitigation measures advised by public health officials (masking and social distancing, etc.). Public convening may not be safe for all and carries a risk for contracting COVID-19, particularly for those unvaccinated. Participants will not know the vaccination status of others, including venue staff, and should follow appropriate risk mitigation measures.