Female genital mutilation culturally acceptable??

We humans are capable of truly great things! We are also capable of doing terribly horrible things.Our actions can have both negative and positive repercussions. Just because they happen to be socially or culturally acceptable at the time doesn't necessarily justify the action or place it in either category.

There have been cultures that embraced cannibalism, human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, bull fights, cock fights, boxing, slavery, abusing alcohol and so many other things it would take forever to list them. We have children being sent out with bombs strapped to their bodies to kill themselves and others. People dying every day in wars that are justified with lies and half truths and the ignorance never ends.

What is wrong about any of the beliefs of a culture? The wrong is when the beliefs or acts are forced on others who are unable to defend themselves against those cultural beliefs and the actions they cause people to take against their fellow humans. Do you want someone to stew you up for his family's dinner? I sort of doubt that! Cultural just means socially acceptable at the time. It doesn't make it "right" morally or ethically.

If you want to have your genitals mutilated, and you are an adult who is making the decision without any coercion and fully understanding the pros and cons of what you are doing, I might consider that acceptable. If you are mutilating the genitals of a child because someone has decided it is necessary because of todays cultural norms then I would say you need to adjust your thinking.

It is not just "those folks!" Every culture today is filled with differing degrees of socially acceptable beliefs that are not beneficial to the society they are a part of. One of my favorite things in the good old USA is drinking alcohol and thinking it is a wonderful thing and outlawing the use of other drugs and putting people in prison for using them. I have never seen any drug cause more harm than alcohol.

I am sure that any human being with anything between their ears besides sawdust can think and understand the consequences of any of these culturally enforced actions and know whether they are helping or hindering the evolution of our world.

Below is the WHO's definition of female genital mutilation and the effects on the persons health who is the recipient of such a mutilation. I think we need to reconsider the way we treat other human beings without being worried about cultural or social pressures.

Grant Hartnell December 5th 2007

What is female genital mutilation?

Female genital mutilation (FGM), often referred to as 'female circumcision', comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons. There are different types of female genital mutilation known to be practised today. They include:

* Type I - excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris;
* Type II - excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia minora;
* Type III - excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (infibulation);
* Type IV - pricking, piercing or incising of the clitoris and/or labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue;
* scraping of tissue surrounding the vaginal orifice (angurya cuts) or cutting of the vagina (gishiri cuts);
* introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding or for the purpose of tightening or narrowing it; and any other procedure that falls under the definition given above.

The most common type of female genital mutilation is excision of the clitoris and the labia minora, accounting for up to 80% of all cases; the most extreme form is infibulation, which constitutes about 15% of all procedures.
Health consequences of FGM

The immediate and long-term health consequences of female genital mutilation vary according to the type and severity of the procedure performed.

Immediate complications include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissue. Haemorrhage and infection can cause death.

More recently, concern has arisen about possible transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the use of one instrument in multiple operations, but this has not been the subject of detailed research.

Long-term consequences include cysts and abscesses, keloid scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting in urinary incontinence, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) and sexual dysfunction and difficulties with childbirth.

Psychosexual and psychological health: Genital mutilation may leave a lasting mark on the life and mind of the woman who has undergone it. In the longer term, women may suffer feelings of incompleteness, anxiety and depression. more

tag: genital, mutilation, cultural, trauma

T-Mobile Doing The Good Thing

T-Mobile USA Partners with One Laptop per Child To Help Children (laptop.org) in the Developing World, Thus Giving Laptop.org The First Confirmed Order.

T-Mobile USA Media Relations, 425-378-4002 mediarelations@t-mobile.com T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced it is partnering with One Laptop per Child for its Give One Get One initiative. T-Mobile is offering one year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot access to people who donate an XO laptop to a child in a developing country through the campaign.

"T-Mobile believes in helping people stay connected to those who matter most in their lives. The Give One Get One program delivers on our unmistakable commitment to enhancing personal relationships," said Joe Sims, vice president and general manager for Broadband Services, T-Mobile USA. "We are excited and proud to partner with One Laptop per Child, and are hopeful that our contribution will not only encourage other people to participate, but also make a positive difference." more