Final answer:
The statement is false. Surgeries performed within 72 hours after birth to "normalize" the genitals are not necessary or recommended. It is important to respect each individual's self-identified gender rather than imposing a specific gender upon them through surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is false. Surgeries performed within 72 hours after birth to "normalize" the genitals are not necessary or recommended. While doctors may assign a sex at birth based on external genital appearance, it is important to recognize that biological sex is not always determined solely by genitalia.
Intersex individuals, who have variations in their sex traits or reproductive anatomy, may not fit into the traditional binary categories of male or female. It is essential to respect each individual's self-identified gender rather than imposing a specific gender upon them through surgery.
Medical ethicists argue that any surgery to alter intersex characteristics or traits, if desired, should be delayed until an individual can decide for themselves.