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“Combating Female Genital Mutilation: An agenda for the Decade.” research paper
Female genital mutilation eassy
Female genital mutilation eassy
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Female genital mutilation is a common practice throughout many parts of the world. FGM is a practice that has been banned in a lot of countries but unfortunately there are still many cultures that practice this act. A considerable amount of people view female genital mutilation as a form of abuse. I disagree with the practice of female genital mutilation. FGM is a procedure that alters the external female genital organs. There are over 100 million girls and women worldwide who are living with the aftermath of female genital mutilation. Most of the women who have undergone FGM were relatively young. This procedure is mainly performed on girls younger than 15 years of age. One of the main reasons this procedure is mostly performed on younger girls is because they are more likely to not form their own decisions on how they feel about mutilation which allows them to be tolerant of the procedure. Because FGM alters the genitals, women who have undergone genital mutilation are hindered from having a normal sex life. They isolate the idea of being in a relationship. A lot of women who ha...
It examines questions about cultural practices and why some/all people accept them and whom that might be benefitting or harming (ibid). In other words, it examines the behaviors, consequences, social factors, and above all the power structures in play. In Althaus’ article, she postulates that one reason that female circumcision is used is to increase the sexual pleasure of men (Althaus, 131). Here we can see the strong presence of a patriarchal society. Recall the purpose here is not to actually criticize this practice but rather seek the underlying interests or motivations of implementing it. The strong presence of a patriarchy indicates that women in a way are indeed used as means to serve the interests of men both sexually and also by providing a child. This brings about the winners (men) and the oppressed
Female genital mutilation is mostly practiced in Islamic and African cultures, claiming young girls as t...
In her article “Should There Be Only Two Sexes,” Anne Fausto-Sterling discusses the implications of this genital surgery. She states that infantile genital surgery “causes extensive scarring, requires multiple surgeries, and often obliterates the possibility of orgasm” (80). Fausto-Sterling explains the consequences of these surgeries in order to argue against them. She instead says that intersex individuals should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding their bodies after being well-informed about the choices they have. The individuals interviewed in the documentary confirm the consequences Fausto-Sterling discusses and her conclusion. One person discusses how doctors had removed her clitoris and performed multiple surgeries to widen her vagina during her youth; however, these surgeries have caused sex to be painful and eliminated the possibility of orgasm. Another individual talks about how multiple childhood surgeries had led to significant pain and infections, resulting in scarring. These stories are not uncommon among the interviewed individuals, and all of them express the belief that genital surgery should be a choice made by the intersex individual later in life rather than by others early in life. While they concede that some intersex individuals may feel differently,
Freedom of choice is a desire for most, but as we are young we depend on the decision of our parents. With this dependent nature of a child the freedom of choice is limited, for males this can lead to a life long consequence. Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin; the skin covering the head of the penis. Circumcision is practiced for religious purposes in Jewish and Muslim communities. Normally, the boy’s age varies from 4 to 11 years old. In the United States, this procedure is also done but without a religious purpose. The boys in this case are commonly newborn. This practice became popular after medical groups claimed that there were many health benefits that came with circumcision. Though it has been proven otherwise, it is still a common practice in the U.S. fueled by ignorance. Circumcision is an unnecessary surgery that leads to psychological problems, issues with sexual activities and lasting physical damage.
A hot button issue in our society over the years has been the topic of male and female circumcision. This issue has been portrayed in both ethical and political paradigms. “It is estimated that about 30% of males are circumcised worldwide for religious, cultural, and health reasons, most of whom live in major parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, West Africa and Israel, as well as in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand,” according to Demuth (1). Male circumcision is the medical process of the removal of the foreskin that covers the head of the penis. In continuation, the article “Prevalence of Female Genital Cutting among Egyptian Girls,” estimates that between “100 and 130 million girls and women now alive in at least 28 African countries and the Middle East have been subjected to female circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM)” stated by Tag-Eldin (3). The female genital mutilation is a bit different than a male’s circumcision, generally consisting of three types. “Type 1 is the removal of the clitoris, Type 2 is the removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, and Type 3 is the removal of all parts of the external genitalia, which includes: the clitoris, the labia minora/majora, and then sewing the rest of the tissues,” according to Pauls (4). The origin of circumcision is currently unknown, but according to the article “Circumcision”, there is a theory that in Ancient Egypt, Egyptians men were circumcised and eliminated all of their body hair for probably hygienic reasons. In addition, in the “Book of the Dead” it describes the sun god, Ra, to have circumcised himself (40). This suggests that it may have also been for religious reasons.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an ancient traditional non-therapeutic surgical procedure that involves total or partial removal of the external parts of female genitalia. This paper aimed to define and classify FGM, identifies the prevalence, describes reasons for performing the practice, and concentrates on the problems associated to this practice with regard to women’s health, religious beliefs, and socio-cultural, behavioral and moral consequences. Researches and survey reports that the global actions have been taken to reduce or abolish the prevalence of the practice will be assessed.
2. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: AN INTRODUCTION. National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers FGM Awareness and Education Project. Box 2512 San Anselmo, CA 94979
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has had different definitions in the ‘Scientific World’ and the world of those who embrace the act. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), Female Genital Mutilation is the act of removing the external parts of the female genitalia, partially or totally for non-medical reasons (WHO) whereas the practitioners see it as the cutting of “extra skin tags” of the female’s reproductive organ. Various reasons have been put forward to support it, ranging from social, cultural and religious reasons, mainly in the so called Islamic communities. FGM is a violation of the rights of the girl child, causes health implications and drastically disempowers the sexuality of women.
A question among researchers is what type of force is required to constitute sexual assault. Does non-physical sexual coercion count as sexual assault? Russell (1982) found that women described sexual coercion as different than sexual assault, showing that there is a major distinction in their minds of these types of sexual violence. Thus, her research team distinguished between use of physical force and non-physical coercion, even to the point of determining which actions constitute physical force. Their criteria for use of force included “such acts as pushing, pinning, and being held down by a husband’s weight so that the woman couldn’t move,” (p. 48). In chapter five of their seminal work License to Rape (1985), Finkellhor & Yllo present
Rites of passage, specifically circumcision, are the focus of study for multiple theorists. Circumcision as a ritual of passage encompasses various theories on the function of these ritualistic passages. Arnold Van Gennep, Vincent Crapanzano, and Victor Turner each approach the ritual of circumcisions’ function differently, specifically they question whether the ritual can be considered in stages.
Does Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Affect Women’s Sexual Functioning? A Systematic Review of the Sexual Consequences of FGM/C. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 11(40), 41-56. El-Defrawi, M., Lotfy, G., Dandash, K., Refaat, A., & Eyada, M. (2011). Female Genital Mutilation and its Psychosexual Impact.
A splendid example of this one is the (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision. This is a ritual of cutting or removing of some or all the external female genitalia. This behavior is considered normal and found in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and within communities from countries in which FGM is common. Typically carried out by a traditional circumciser using a blade, FGM is conducted from days after birth to puberty and beyond. In half the countries for which national figures are available, most girls are cut before the age of five.
Statistically speaking women in Liberia have less access to education, health care, and justice in comparison to men in the country. The gender divisions in the country are evident. Women typically clean, cook, and take care of children and their hard work is rarely acknowledged. Men are always seen as the breadwinner. Land owners in the country are prominently men. Although it’s 2014 and the president of Liberia is a women injustices still happen to women regularly. Arranged marriages aren’t unheard of or uncommon, and some places in Liberia still partake in female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcisions. Genital mutilation is the ritual of removing some or all of the external female genitalia. This practice is typically performed by a traditional circumciser with a blade or razor, and this can be with or without anesthesia. FGM is known to be practiced in 27 different African countries as well as a hand full of places around the world. As tradition has it (though it can vary depending on the country or girl) most girls are cut before the age of five. Once again, depending on the country the procedure can differ. Some include the removal of the clitoral hood and clitoris, and in the most severe cases removal of the inner and outer labia. It isn’t unheard of for the closure of the vulva as well, leaving just a small hole for urinating and the female’s menstrual cycle. Female Genital Mutilation is just one practice that is formed around gender inequality, attempts to control women, it conveys the idea of purity, and
Many question whether female circumcision (FGM, genital cutting, etc.) is a form of abuse, is it a humane and morally acceptable practice and how can we fix this horrendous practice? These assumptive thoughts are typically made through the eyes of outsiders, female circumcision is many things and must be looked at through such a lens. Despite, all of this female circumcision is still framed very commonly between these three views, female circumcision is abuse, is a result of patriarchal societies, and is a cultural and religious practice.
...sued a public statement, endorsed by 500 doctors, declaring their opposition to the attempted repeals. The UNICEF-European Union programme on FGM/C, which began in 2008, concluded. During that period, 17,772 families of girls were at risk commit to abandon FGM. (UNICEF) Current reports seem to indicate a decreasing popularity of FGM in Upper Egypt (El-Gibaly). demonstrating that the reform process is slowing