Female circumcision

[Wong]

What is this? I've heard people talk about it but can't imagine what it involves.

[andyjevs]

I'm pretty sure it involves the ritualistic removal of the clitoris without anesthetic and using barbaric methods.

It is totally illegal in the developed world but still goes on in certain areas of the world

[blobby02uk]

http://www.nocirc.org/publish/9pam.pdf

Totally barbaric, IMO.

[snook]

Yet another example of ignorance and confused thinking about sexual matters triumphing over common sense. God help the poor girls that are subject to this barbaric act.

[lady_p_gold]

From what I recall in a documentary there are some doctors in the UK who have been performing it illegally behind closed doors .... it is totally barbaric. However we had a heated debate on here about male circumcision too which others also thought barbaric, however I agree that it pales into insignificance compared to the female version.

www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Parenting/Question164062.html

[Goodsoulette]

I didnt check the links but I know in Somalia they remove the clitoris, and sew the vagina up so that only menstrual blood can pass through, so that until a girl has sex with her life partner he can basicly tell if she is "damaged goods".

I think it is very easy to sit on the sidelines and criticise other religions and countries for their rituals. Maybe,(totally objective point of view as i could never imagine willingly putting anyone i loved through such a barbaric act) as this happens in countries where AIDS is rife it may help certain groups from contracting or spreading any further, as barbaric as it may seem this ritual does make sex sacred. I have seen documentries and read many articles on this where women want this done.

I know this is practised without anesthesia but we should have a good look at the mutilations that cosmetic surgery has provided in western culture. Stuffing your chest cavity with bags of silicone, removing labia, chiseling bumps away on noses all of which are none essential procedures yet are you as disgusted by them, cause i reckon more people in the UK have this done daily than go to church. Is it our new religion? Honestly, I dont know!!

[Toureman]

It is a barbaric rite in some countries but it has been performed legally in this country under anaesthetic by certain clinics.

A kind of this sort of operation is performed legaly by cosmetic surgeons in the USA, it is cosmetic and involves making the genital area more attractive? it involves shortening and reshaping the inner and outer lips so the patient thinks they are more attractive!

[joko]

cosmetic surgery is done by adults and is their own choice

Female circumcision is usually performed with a shard of glass or similar, no anasthetic or antibiotics or proper antiseptic or anything - by an auntie or nan, while other members of the family hold down a screaming 7-8-ish year old.

sometimes the enitre genitalia is removed, sometimes just the clitoris, sometimes just the opening is sewn up.

i do not care about their traditions and culture - it is wrong - full stop!

lots of things are traditional and part of some cultures, cannibalsim, incest, child and baby rape, stonings, rape of women, murder, slavery etc etc - doesn't make it right.

[Goodsoulette]

I at no point condoned it Joko, but I also think your whole I dont care about your religion cause i think what you are doing is wrong is stupid cause that sort of attitude causes wars. I would not be circumcised by choice either, or put a son or daughter through that.

I would however undergo cosmetic surgery willingly cause my culture has brought me up to think do what you can to make yourself look better, which is obviously crazy bearing in mind that there is really nothing wrong with the way i look.

I was under the impression this majoratively happened when the girl started menstruating???? and by a elder in the village. Obviously girls in these cultures which practise this are considered adults a lot earlier than here in the uk, I honestly think its horrible but like i choose plastic surgery I would put money on the fact that a lot of these women would still have this done given the choice.

When I first read of this it made me feel sick, but I have read lots of different stories and seen extreme shock tactic versions on tv too. I also know a somalian doctor who came here 2 yrs ago as a refugee,she is married with 2 lovely little girls and is now very westernised (loves A Starbucks) I will ask her what she thinks next time I see her.

[joko]

goodsoulete - did i say you condoned it?

The stupid thing is nonsense traditions that make no sense and are born out of ignorance and fear.

If someone wants to needlessly mutilate a child and call it religion, then yes, i think the religion, and them, are stupid - can anyone show me the religious text that says this is what you are supposed to do?

They are what causes wars - the over zealous fanaticism - not westerners recognising that that something is barbaric.

These people need education, not just us sitting back and saying - "do what you like as its traditional"

you say you would have surgery because society says its okay - well that is why many girls in those countries would do choose to be circumcise given the choice - because they have been brought up to believe its necessary and know no different. They don't have access to information and truth -you do.

I don't know about the age - I saw the operation perfromed on tv about a year ago and it was horrific - she was screaming and didn't want it done and her family were beating her to stop her struggling. She said afterwards she was glad she had let them do it because now she was clean and pure and good and would not be beaten and ostracised by her community (!!!???) because thats what she had been told by her parents - and the child looked about 9 - could have been older though, but what difference does their age make anyway.

[Goodsoulette]

Look I dont agree with it, but i cannot stop it either. just trying to sit on the fence.