FGM conviction: about goddamn time

EarthRod

Where in my post did I make such a suggestion?

All I'm saying is many countries (especially in Africa) continue to perform a ritual of cutting off the clitoris of very young girls.

Also, many countries perform circumcision ritual on very young boys. That is also a fact.

How on earth would you think I would suggest they are compatible?

Both these 'operations' are performed on young children for no medical reason other that it is a common and accepted ritual.

Sorry if I have upset your sensibilities.

rustybin

FGM is not an accepted ritual. You need to read up on it.

Sonic67

Depends on what you are comparing.

Both are usually done while medically unnecessary. There may be a medical reason for male circumcision in which case fine.

Generally though it's down to "culture" or "religion" and medically unnecessary.

Both are done to children who have little or no say in it. If it's going to be done for cultural or religious reasons let people be an adult when they can decide for themselves.

Once done in either example that's pretty much it. Your body is changed forever.

So superficially comparable.
It's "accepted" in certain cultures, otherwise it wouldn't be done. It doesn't mean it's right.

See the "Cultural tradition" section:

BBC - Ethics - Female circumcision

rustybin

It's only accepted in so far as there are certain areas of this country where gang raping girls is an accepted practice. I'm not sure it's a legally accepted practice anywhere.

The point is though that it's illegal here. And that's all that matters.

rustybin

There's an absolutely insane correlation between where it's banned by law and where it's most prevalent.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) frequently asked questions

I think to use the cultural excuse is no different to excusing Tar and Feathering because 'that was culturally acceptable' in the Deep South.

IronGiant

You are clearly suggesting that the removal of a girl's external genitalia is perfectly acceptable.  As is Sonic.  Be careful how you tread. Because I'm hovering over the ban button.

IronGiant

You have to be joking.  If a foreskin is removed,you still have a fully functional penis and can enjoy sex.  Tell that to a woman who has all her external genitalia scraped off with a rusty knife and had her vagina sown up. Only to let her future husband know she won't ever enjoy sex and is his alone.

Sonic67

I understood where Earthrod was coming from on a superficial level. Hence why I said "superficially comparable."

BBC - Ethics - Male circumcision: Cultural and health aspects to circumcision

Disadvantages
Evidence that the foreskin has a large proportion of sensitive nerve endings has led critics to say that circumcised men experience less pleasure during sex, although there is no conclusive proof for this.

Opponents also argue that potential post-operative complications, such as excessive bleeding and infections, overshadow any possible benefits.

They say that circumcision is an unnecessary procedure.

Another criticism is that the procedure tends to happens when a boy is too young to make an informed decision about whether he should be circumcised.

Some also refer to circumcision as genital mutilation.

Note, my partners boy was circumcised. It was screwed up and has lead to several hospital visits to put right. He's now sorted.

So it caused a medical issue when there shouldn't have even been one.
If you think that, you are way, way, off the mark. I personally don't think either is acceptable and I thought I'd made it very clear in the previous posts.

Female circumcision I think everyone knows why it is unacceptable in civilised society.

Male circumcision has some controversy.

Circumcision controversies - Wikipedia

I actually read through the posts several times to try to be certain I was making the point right and wouldn't be misinterpreted.

lucasisking

I don't think that's where Sonic was going.  He's pointing out that both are (in most cases) unnecessary procedures performed on non-consenting children for religious/cultural reasons.  Hence they have something in common.  One is much worse than the other, but I'd still like to see the end of both (except where male circumcision is medically necessary).

It is also true that badly performed jewish rituals have led to injury and death for boys that have had it done to them.   Let's just stop mutilating children for the sake of superstition.

But I agree FGM is utterly repugnant and needs to be ejected from planet Earth tout suite.

rustybin

What about these parents who get their children's ears pierced?