INTRODUCTION In recent years, female genital mutilation (FGM) has really come into the media’s eye and people all across America are protesting female circumcision. Organizations are rapidly being formed and are spreading the word, especially after the founder of Safe Hands for Girls petitioned to talk about a strategic plan to end FGM, which promptly gained the attention of governors who supported the cause (Ahmed). The United States, along with many other countries such as Canada and Italy, have outlawed FGM and made it criminally prosecutable (Center for Reproductive Rights). Yet I believe that it is beneficial that anyone seeking cosmetic surgery can still look up female genital surgery and easily find doctors that can do labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, …show more content…
clitoral unhooding, perineoplasty, and even a g-spot enhancement, as these surgeries are not as damaging and are by choice (Goodman). In this paper, I will discuss why people make the distinction between female genital plastic surgery and female circumcision. BACKGROUND Female circumcision has been around for centuries.
The earliest record of FGM was in 25 BC, but it had probably been performed earlier than that. One of the earliest scholarly papers written about female circumcision was written in 1897 about how female circumcision has never been viewed in a good light outside of the countries that allow it. From an outsider’s (a country that does not allow it) point of view the practice of cutting a woman’s genitals is known as female circumcision, genital mutilation, and even genital surgeries (Porterfield). Using the terms “circumcision” and “surgery” to describe this practice is often done to make the procedure sound more pleasant than it really is (Alavi). In some cultures the “circumcision” occurs as an infant, in others it is performed around the time of a girl’s first menstrual cycle, the procedure being viewed as the girl’s first steps towards womanhood. During this procedure many of the young girls die due to shock or blood loss. The ones that survive often suffer from complications and infections from not being able to properly dispose of urine or menstruation, extreme pain during intercourse, and complications during childbirth, if childbirth is even possible (Epstein, Graham and Rimsza). In order to fix some of these life threatening complications, many women often go to genital surgeons to fix their circumcisions in order to proceed with their life without
pain. Genital surgery for women, just like for men, are typically for appearance, but there are instances when it can also be for health purposes. The key difference between genital surgery and genital mutilation are the people who perform the procedure and the willingness of the participant. Typically, in the mutilation/circumcision procedure, it is the mother of the young girl that cuts away the sexual desire of the girl, making her into a woman. However, in genital surgery, it is usually a doctor that performs the procedure to give the woman whatever results she asks for (Bagge) (Sheldon and Wilkinson). These are some of the reasons why female genital surgery is becoming more acceptable in America, because it is not as brutal or damaging as female genital mutilation. PRE-METHODS A Sterk’s article explained the risks of prostitution, stating that it is much more dangerous than we commonly believe. It presented the information that most prostitutes are not only working under a pimp, whom they can already have a bad relationship with, but also that the customers and rival pimps that they must deal with can also be violent and want to hurt them (Sterk). I believe that the way Sterk found her information was very risky, going into crackhouses and asking the prostitutes about their lives, but was the best way to gain firsthand information (Sterk). I think that I can take a convenience sample instead of a random sample for my study as few people are willing to answer such personal questions about their sex lives. Because this approach might lead to bias in my results, I will try to make it as random as possible. I will ask mostly yes or no questions and ask whether or not they knew about the topic to make their participation as simple as possibly. PRE-METHODS B I will most likely find participants by using the parents of people I know, my friends, and (hopefully) other students from this course seeing as they may be more open to an interview than a random stranger. I definitely would like to make my study randomized, but fear that I may not get many people to participate in it. I will focus on the knowledge that the interviewees already have on the subject and branch of off that with questions pertaining to how society has led us to believe certain things about female circumcision. I think that people will respond to my questions honestly and in a very concise way, yet many of them will not know enough about female circumcision to provide useful answers.
In Althaus’ article, she provides in-depth information about female circumcision; a highly controversial cultural ritual that is practiced in at least 28 countries
When parents first discover they are having a baby, there are so many aspects to consider. Who is going to be their doctor, which hospital are they going to deliver at, what are they going to name the baby, and what color should they paint the nursery. Parents that are expecting a male newborn have to decide if they want their baby to be circumcised. For many families, this is an easy decision based on their cultural or religious beliefs. However, for others the right option is not as clear. Over the years, the topic of circumcision has been debated and views have swayed for and against the procedure. Ultimately, the parents must evaluate all the pros and cons and make the decision that aligns best with their thoughts and beliefs. The parent’s decision about the procedure will be influenced by various factors. It is vital that they are educated on the accurate information surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of the circumcision. This paper will evaluate both sides of this controversial issue.
The majority of circumcisions performed in the United States happen after given birth. The procedure may subsist implemented at any age. Around 30% of men are circumcised ubiquitously (UNAIDS, 2007), Circumcisions is an ancient practice that likewise based on religious practice amid Jews, Muslims, low percentage of Christian (LaVay & Baldwin, 2012; Drain, et al., 2006). Ethnic cohort such as Polynesian and various parts of the Philippines engage in different procedures on the male penis. These methods encompass a slit along the top of a child foreskin around the time of puberty know as superincision. Superincision exposes the upper portion of the glans allowing the foreskin to sag beneath the glans; no tissue removed LaVay & Baldwin, 2012. Other cultures including Australian aborigines customarily create an incision near the base of the penis known as subincision. Exposing the urethra and allowing the glans and part of the shaft to flare outward, giving the penis a flat appearance LaVay & Baldwin,
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.
Neonatal circumcision is one of the most often executed surgeries in the United States. (1:130) In my clinical practice thus far, the question whether to circumcise male neonates or not is frequently asked in the postpartum period. Midwives play an important role in providing informed choice discussions for their clients, it is thus our role to present the research evidence available in order to help women make the right choice for them and their families. This paper aims to describe the different incentives of male circumcision and the benefits and risks involved.
... cause of a problem but it is the result of a situation’ (Greunbaum, 2001, pp. 177-178). There’s a need to understand the cultural and social dimension of female circumcision in order to realize and respect people for the culture; however, there is also a need for better medical environments for this procedure to be performed in.
Per WebMD “Male circumcision is a surgery to remove the foreskin, a fold of skin that covers and protects the rounded tip of the penis. The foreskin provides sensation and lubrication for the penis. In most cases, circumcision is elective surgery, which means there isn't a medical reason for it”. If it is done, circumcision is usually done soon after birth. It’s been disputed that circumcision can be traced as far back as Ancient Egypt. Some believe that there are paintings in tombs and along the walls of caves that show early male genital mutilations and alterations (Hodges). Despite extensive history, western culture (English speaking) can credit its most recent practices to the thinking of the 19th century when circumcision was used routinely on males and females to prevent and stop masturbation. Around the same time the medical community began to focus more on germs and sanitation and a common thought was formed.
Unlike male circumcisions which were practice for religious purposes, female circumcision is done for social convention and is practiced as a way to prepare girls for marriage, as well as conform to societal norms of femininity. Female circumcisions are often motivated by what would be considered proper female behavior and as a way to promote virginity as well as cause pain during intercourse to uphold these beliefs. Much like male circumcision these societal beliefs about sex and purity, have affected these cultures in their convictions that circumcision must be performed to be pure and free of
Throughout our research, we have discovered that circumcision plays a big role in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. After coming across this article, it became clear that the benefits of circumcision are not widely known, even in doctors and nurses who play a role in performing the neonatal male circumcisions. This article is important to our project because it shows that even though circumcision is effective in the prevention against sexually transmitted infections, along with promoting proper hygiene, 62% of health care workers did not think that neonatal circumcision would help in the prevention of HIV.
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.
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the human penis. Male circumcision is one of the earliest surgical procedures that have been performed for approximately four thousand years. About eighty percent of the world’s male population is uncircumcised, and only the rest twenty percent is circumcised. Among the rest twenty percent of the male population, circumcision is performed mainly for religious reasons among Jewish and Islamic cultures. Therefore, male circumcision is widely and nationally practiced only in the Muslim world—parts of Asia and Africa— and Israel most of the time. High rate of circumcision performed for non-religious reasons only prevail in few non-Islamic and non-Jewish cultures. In North America—specifically in the U.S, rate of male circumcision reached 80-90% during the 1970s through 1990s. According to CDC— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—, the national rate of neonatal circumcision in the U.S. dramatically declined in the 2000s; the latest national survey conducted by the NHDS—National Hospital Discharge Survey— shows an average male circumcision rate of less than 50% among U.S. men in 2000s, with a lowest of 31.4% in 2003. Non-religious male circumcision is rarely practiced in Asia; non-neonatal circumcision is observed only in South Korea and Philippine—more specifically, Philippine has a long history of circumcision tradition dated back to Spaniard’s arrival in the 16th century. Despites the fact that Koreans historically and religiously did not perform male circumcision before the 1945 or the 1950 Korean War, South Korea is the only county where high rate of male circumcision is nationally and culturally performed until todays. The comparison of three different...
You have just arrived home after giving birth to you beautiful bundle of joy. Before you settle into your new life you need to plan your child’s circumcision. This procedure is usually performed on the first or second day after birth. Although, within the Jewish population, is performed on the eighth day. The thought of returning back to a hospital after just leaving one raises your already heightened anxiety. We have the perfect solution. Home Circumcisions Toronto will perform your child’s circumcision in the comfort of your own home. We even perform aftercare visits immediately following the procedure.
The survey confirmed that circumcision had roots in ancient Egypt and the majority of Egyptian practice circumcision as a religious tradition. It also reflects how the ancient civilizations have an impact on the social traditions of the Egyptian society. Also, results confirmed that circumcision has to some extent a positive impact on health. Circumcision is commonly known in the present Egyptian society and usually done during the infancy period. Circumcision’s benefits outweigh its harm effect and complications of the procedure are rare, minor and treatable, so male circumcision is encouraged due to its role as preventative function (Sykes 2006).
The origins of circumcision aren’t definitively known, but historians have traced some of the earliest known appearances of it to wall paintings done by the Egyptians back in 2300 BC. It is thought that the paintings are based centuries before that though. One of the more recent origins is when God said to Abraham, “Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you” Genesis 17:10-11. After that, the Jewish religion began practicing it as a religious ceremony for their children. Later on, the early catholic church actually “maintained a degree of hostility towards the practice.” This would loosely be maintained up until
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.