The power of words: Exploring the impacts of derogatory discourse on cognition and social relationships of intersex individuals

In today’s evolving world, discourse functions as a powerful tool that shapes our perceptions and attitudes towards different social groups. The discourse surrounding intersex individuals in heteronormative societies like Quetta not only reflects but also disseminates their discrimination and marginalization. In this study, the researcher intended to analyze the impacts of derogatory discourse on both the cognition and social relationships of intersex individuals. By drawing upon ‘socio-cognitive theory’ proposed by Van Dijk (2015), and employing ‘snow-ball’ sampling technique, the researcher conducted 11 interviews with intersex individuals who were the residents of Quetta, Baluchistan. Considering the cognitive impacts of derogatory discourse, the data revealed that intersex individuals suffered from ‘internalized inferiority’, ‘over-thinking’, and so forth; while, in terms of social relationships, they experienced strained relationships in workplace dynamics, and educational settings, etc. Moreover, the researcher not only emphasized the use of inclusive discourse with intersex individuals but also presented some recommendations for policy-makers in order to bring relief in their lives.