FGM thread - Page 2

[Bm31]

You're certainly welcome to it, Lindsay.

[Frankly Speaking]

Originally Posted by plantmama

Anyway, dh has definately been challenging me on my don't compare male and female circ argument because they are so different. So I'm starting to think more about my own sexist assumptions- one of which is males can't be victims. Of course I don't really think that logically, but it is still kind of there in some form or another.
I am wondering what everyone thinks of male circ in terms of sexism, because that is one of the first issues that comes up with FGM- that it is a custom deeply rooted in sexism.

• Is it sexist that our society supports cosmetic male circumcision but not female cosmetic circumcision?

• Is it sexist that it's often a woman/mother that wants her son to meet her cosmetic expectations?

• Is it sexist that a woman subjects a male to cosmetic modification for the benefit of another woman? (Future sexual partner)

• Is it sexist that it is often female OB/GYN or pediatrician that is cosmetically modifying the male body for the esoteric preferences of women?

• Is it sexist that one of the justifications is that it would prevent cervical cancer in a future (but unknown) female?

• Is it sexist that it is done "so he won't have to decide" later? Ie, make the decision now so he can't later?

• Is it sexist that the law allows cosmetic genital modification of male but not females?

• Is it sexist that the medical profession refuses to cosmetically modify the genitals of infant females but heavily solicits the surgical modification of males?

It certainly sounds sexist to me.


Frank

[plantmama]

Hmmm...I think your points are really skirting the issue of why circumcision is done to male babies in the US...or at least not getting too deep. I'm going to just come out and say that I really don't think boys are circed because their future female sexual partners like it better that way. It's also been pointed out several times that uncirced men feel better to women too, so not to their benefit. It is an idea sold to women and men, both sexes promote it, and I'm asking why.

Sexism is the oppression of someone because of their sex. It can also be on a personal scale or a societal scale and I was asking more about the societal scale than the idividual manifestations you kind of bring up in your post. For example, not why do women want their sons to be circumcised or why do women want their partners circumcised but -why has society led women to these conclusions? And putting it off as a problem that primarily women promote is truly strange. People are often more sexist towards their own sex.
Anyway, it is also not sexist to allow male circ and not female circ, but it is to promote one and not the other.

[Yoshua]

Originally Posted by plantmama

Sexism is the oppression of someone because of their sex. It can also be on a personal scale or a societal scale and I was asking more about the societal scale than the idividual manifestations you kind of bring up in your post.

While I don't disagree with this statement, it is off a bit. Update your working dictionary. Sexism has nothing to do with oppression and everything to do with stereo typing and exhibiting abusive behaviors to the opposite sex.

Definition: from www.dictionary.com

sex·ism ( P ) n.

1.Discrimination based on gender, especially discrimination against women.

2.Attitudes, conditions, or behaviors that promote stereotyping of social roles based on gender.

3. discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of the opposite sex


Please feel free to continue the conversation, I find it enlightening. Just wanted ta make sure the true definitions were out there. Propaganda has it's places but not in a debate.

[plantmama]

Sorry Yoshua, but discrimination can be pretty oppressive. I guess when giving someone a definition it is BEST to use the dictionary, BUT my definition isn't propaganda is it??? Wow! I better watch myself.
I really don't see how 1,2 or 3 aren't oppression?

[MillingNome]

Originally Posted by LeosMama

I'm a bit brain dead here...does this conclusion mean that they're saying that HIV infection is reduced in circumcised women?

But you must be careful how you draw conclusions. After all, there is an increase in rapes as the sale of icecream goes up- don't worry, it has nothing to do with icecream. It has everything to do with warmer weather and people getting out more.

[Yoshua]

decided to this was better sent via pm. please continue