http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/flashbks/fgm/fgm.htm
Interesting article reading it reminded me ALOT of the male anti-circ movement. From views by parents, how the medical world dealt with the issue, and how our country changed views on the issue.
This was written in 1995 BEFORE FGM laws were put in place, so its a interesting read. Here are a few quotes that really struck me, since it was talking about Female circumcision, not male circumcision.
"People practice without knowing," Beletu says regretfully, now that she has learned about the harmful aspects of the procedure. "Even though I lived here years, I didn't know. Nobody told me. I wouldn't have put my daughters in this situation if I had known." Five months pregnant with another girl, she vows to leave this one uncircumcised. -- African mother who immigrated before having any children.
"To many patients, a circumcised vagina is normal. Any change is going to have to come from within that community."
"It's very bad pain. I don't want my daughter to have it, but it depends on what the doctor tells us."- mother, I guess we are not the only culture that puts blind faith in doctors.
"The American and British medical professions have in the past practiced FGM to varying degrees. There are reports of clitoridectomies having been performed as recently as the 1950s, to cure nymphomania and melancholia in girls."
"The first attempt to prohibit FGM here died in the previous Congress. However, the legislation has been reintroduced by its original co-sponsors, Representatives Pat Schroeder, of Colorado, and Barbara-Rose Collins, of Michigan. "
Really these two causes, and the blocks they face, are VERY similar. The federal ban on FGM died a few times in the congress before it was passed. There was a time, not to long ago when female circumcision was seen to provide "medical benefits" as well.
If you ever feel discouraged about stopping male circumcision, just look back at the hard, but worth-while journey that stopping female circumcision has taken.
The article is about an FGM activist (Ramsey) (who had a radical circumcision herself as a young girl). I have read other stuff from her, and she is against male circumcision as well.
Interesting article reading it reminded me ALOT of the male anti-circ movement. From views by parents, how the medical world dealt with the issue, and how our country changed views on the issue.
This was written in 1995 BEFORE FGM laws were put in place, so its a interesting read. Here are a few quotes that really struck me, since it was talking about Female circumcision, not male circumcision.
"People practice without knowing," Beletu says regretfully, now that she has learned about the harmful aspects of the procedure. "Even though I lived here years, I didn't know. Nobody told me. I wouldn't have put my daughters in this situation if I had known." Five months pregnant with another girl, she vows to leave this one uncircumcised. -- African mother who immigrated before having any children.
"To many patients, a circumcised vagina is normal. Any change is going to have to come from within that community."
"It's very bad pain. I don't want my daughter to have it, but it depends on what the doctor tells us."- mother, I guess we are not the only culture that puts blind faith in doctors.
"The American and British medical professions have in the past practiced FGM to varying degrees. There are reports of clitoridectomies having been performed as recently as the 1950s, to cure nymphomania and melancholia in girls."
"The first attempt to prohibit FGM here died in the previous Congress. However, the legislation has been reintroduced by its original co-sponsors, Representatives Pat Schroeder, of Colorado, and Barbara-Rose Collins, of Michigan. "
Really these two causes, and the blocks they face, are VERY similar. The federal ban on FGM died a few times in the congress before it was passed. There was a time, not to long ago when female circumcision was seen to provide "medical benefits" as well.
If you ever feel discouraged about stopping male circumcision, just look back at the hard, but worth-while journey that stopping female circumcision has taken.
The article is about an FGM activist (Ramsey) (who had a radical circumcision herself as a young girl). I have read other stuff from her, and she is against male circumcision as well.
