Why is it a MAJOR BIG deal when a woman gets circumcised but not when a guy gets circumcised?

Question

Especially in Africa. Why is everyone calling their culture barbaric and such. Can't we just let them do what they want instead of interferring?

Answer 1

The difference is in semantics. As others have pointed out, it is not really "circumcision" that takes place, but a "clitorectomy." It is BETTER known as "female genital mutilation." It is the removal of a BODY PART, not just a "flap of skin", which is what circumcision is.
Now, let me ask...are you circumcised? (Of course, I don't mean for you to actually answer.) Do you remember it? Are you traumatized?
Now imagine that you are a couple of years younger than you are now, that you are "indoctrinated" into "adulthood" by having a group of adults hold you down while they slice away at your "anatomy" with a piece of glass or sharp rock. There is no anesthesia. Then they sew shut the hole that is left where they cut away part of your body. How would you feel? You'd be traumatized, for sure...you'll never be able to feel pleasure during sex, you'll probably suffer from life-long, and life-threatening, infections, IF you survive at all, and you'd never forget that pain and humiliation.
As for "our interfering"...I actually don't think that is happening very much. WE talk about it, sure, and a few world human rights organizations are trying to educate people, and possibly even pass laws to stop it, but for the most part, the "West" is doing nothing.
http://www.members.tripod.com/~Wolvesdreams/FGM.html

There is no comparison between male circumcision and female genital mutilation.

Answer 2

TANKS you are a very scary boy. How can you say that you want love and sympathy from a woman, and be a person who can ask such a question?

Circumcised men do not have health problems and sexual pain/ tearing.trouble with erection, etc due to circumcision. Some boys are circumcised for medical reasons - the forskin refuses to stretch over the tip of the penis and causes ripping, pain and infection. In such a case it would not only be wise, and hygenic, it would be a compassionate thing to do for the child. Some parents decide to take this precaution on the eigth day of the baby's life since there is less feeling, and quicker healing.

That is very different from than having a girls genitals mutilated by a dull, dirty raiser blade, knowing that the girl will suffer tremendous pain during the procedure and for the rest of her life. Some girls die from this, and circumsicion of the male foreskin is just not like that.

Also a peice of 'skin' is not nearly the same as a sexual organ. Compare it to having half of your penis cut off, or your scrotum. - maybe while you are awake since much of this torture is done in the village in somebody's backyard.

The results for women are devastating - much worse than no pleasure - sex means more pain, more ripping and pregancy is a whole other nightmare - nothing normal about it. You really do talk like you are filled with hatred Tank.

Answer 3

Have you read any of these circumcisions?!!! A woman has her inner vaginal lips cut off by a midwive at the age of 14!!! With a peice of glass or a razor!!! With no Meds to numb the pain. Then they take the clitoris and cut that off And then they take the outer lips and SEW them to the side so it looks smooth. Then they create a new vaginal opening that is smaller because it is sewed that way. It cause major infections because urine ends up being caught in the little hole and causes pain during childbirth. Some women don't even survive these circumcision because of severe blood loss. and it's not done to be healthy for women. It's done so men think the women are virgins and clean

Answer 4

Female circumcision involves the removal of the clitoris, and sometimes, the suturing of the labia closed (like they do to mares...). Only after the woman is married is she "opened" up and her husband allowed at her.

Male circumcision by comparison is a more minor affair, as only skin is removed (I'd never opt to have it done personally, scissors + downstairs = bad in my books).

Female circumcision is equivalent to a male having the glands of his penis removed. While some may argue that women don't "need" a clitoris to be sexually productive like a man needs his glands, mutilation is mutilation.

Answer 5

Because the purpose of eliminating the clitoris is the idea of taking away a great deal of women's sexual stimulation/pleasure so she won't go "whoring" around.

With men, it's merely a flap of skin that covers much of the head of the penis. It's removed mainly for hygenic reasons. because it's easier to keep clean, or religious reasons for Jewish boys. However, one can argue that the foreskin aids in pleasure, since it protects the head and keeps the head more sensitive, as opposed to the head being exposed to little abbrassions on the outside.

But yeah, it's looked down upon because cutting the clitoris isn't really necessary -- a woman should have her sexual pleasure.

Answer 6

Good question. I feel that clashing cultures should keep to themselves (Eh hem America....) Despite that, my answer is that the way the womens' circumcision takes place is painful and brutal. Boys do not lose feeling when circumcised, while in these cases women lose all feeling which takes away being sexually pleased. Women need that as much as men do. That's my answer.

Answer 7

Well because its usually when the girl is old-- 10-18 yesrs old.
Its not beneficial to women like it is to men. Its usually unhygeinic, such as sewing the lips shut; with only a small area for urinating.
Highly unhealthy.

But the biggest factor: it is a MORAL judgement AGAINST women, that they are only 'valuable' if they are virgins. For men, it has nothing to do with virginity or worth.
Women are despised if they are not virgins or circumcised, whereas men are not.
it is a matter of violating human ethical treatment and equality when it is done ot women- it is NOT carried out for the same reasons of ensuring her health, but of making a judgement on her and her supposed "purity" or worth as a human being.

Answer 8

I think you are talking about when the clitoris is removed. It is wrong because it takes away the woman's right to enjoy sex. With men, it does not have this effect.

Even if you are just trying to stir up an argument, it is still cold hearted thing to even think.

Answer 9

I disagree with all genital mutilation, and wouldn't perform a circumcision on my male child, much less a female. Altering a child's body without their knowledge is wrong. You need to educate yourself on the methods they use to circumcise girls. They truly are barbaric.

Answer 10

Women getting cir'd is a way more nasty little operation, involving the most sensitive place in the 'giner. Men just get a flap o' skin removed, and one which does have minor health implications associated with it.
Duh.