Female circumcision is not just for religious purposes. In some African countries such as Algeria, this mutilation is a method of ensuring the wife's fidelity. Some men in these countries, mostly Muslims, view women as property. They believe that removal of the clitoris will remove the woman's sexual drive and as such she will remain faithful. In essence, they turn the woman into a Eunich.
The practice is usually carried out at birth by a type of midwife. Normally there is no sedation used.
Male circumcision is more commonly practiced. Despite this, it has its inherent dangers. There have been many many cases where the penis was mutilated during circumcision.
Recently, here was an interesting book on such a case (don't recall name), where penis was so severely mutilated that it had to be removed. At the urging of a well-known American psychologist (this Quack is still practicing), the child was raised as a girl. She/he began to rebel almost immediately. She/he would play with boys toys rather than with dolls. After years of rebellious behavior, while in his highschool years, the child was told he was born a boy. The story is heartbreaking as this boy's life was almost ruined. He will obviously never be normal. It also says a lot about the incompetence and callousness of medical profession who think you can simply flick the switch on a person and "voila" you get a girl.
BTW, the boy is now apparently happily married.
Vince
PS - I think the act of circumcision, male and female, is barbaric and I cannot understand how on this day purportedly intelligent people allow this sadistic practice on the babies. |
