A recent article in Marie Claire about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also called “female circumcision,” uncovers the practices still occurring throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO), who is “responsible for providing leadership on global health matters”, fights against this practice.
Even more surprising than the fact that FGM still occurs, is that FGM is a ritualistic practice among immigrants in the United States. Only 16 states sanction against the FGM, but if the practice is defined as a cultural belief, families can get away without penalty or imprisonment.
Families who practice FGM give different reasons, whether social, cultural, religious or hygienic. Most disturbing is the reasoning that by cutting the clitoris or the labia a woman will maintain fidelity. While many medications and solutions in America prevent issues about female hygiene, there seems to be no data to support that FGM as opposed to cultural and religious pressures curbs infidelity. FGM is not a medically or morally viable solution to those issues.
An ever-growing number of opponents to “female circumcision” is growing throughout the world. The WHO estimates between 100 and 140 million women and girls in the world have suffered from FGM. As far as the U.S. is concerned, at what point does FGM become an issue that needs to be dealt with on the sociopolitical stage?
From a medical standpoint, those women and girls are enduring physical and psychological affects from FGM, including anxiety, depression, or humiliation. If you are a victim of FGM, how do you regain a sense of femininity and sexuality? What solutions are available?
For many immigrant women, sex is still a taboo subject. However, in America, sex and sexuality is openly discussed on TV, in magazines, and on the radio. These conflicts of culture become a psychological, emotional and physical issue for women integrating into the American culture.
We need to bring awareness to the countries where this practice started but also need to bring awareness to well-developed countries, like the U.S. who allow FGM to take place.
If you have had experiences with FGM or know someone who has, please share them with us by commenting.
Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money
Even more surprising than the fact that FGM still occurs, is that FGM is a ritualistic practice among immigrants in the United States. Only 16 states sanction against the FGM, but if the practice is defined as a cultural belief, families can get away without penalty or imprisonment.
Families who practice FGM give different reasons, whether social, cultural, religious or hygienic. Most disturbing is the reasoning that by cutting the clitoris or the labia a woman will maintain fidelity. While many medications and solutions in America prevent issues about female hygiene, there seems to be no data to support that FGM as opposed to cultural and religious pressures curbs infidelity. FGM is not a medically or morally viable solution to those issues.
An ever-growing number of opponents to “female circumcision” is growing throughout the world. The WHO estimates between 100 and 140 million women and girls in the world have suffered from FGM. As far as the U.S. is concerned, at what point does FGM become an issue that needs to be dealt with on the sociopolitical stage?
From a medical standpoint, those women and girls are enduring physical and psychological affects from FGM, including anxiety, depression, or humiliation. If you are a victim of FGM, how do you regain a sense of femininity and sexuality? What solutions are available?
For many immigrant women, sex is still a taboo subject. However, in America, sex and sexuality is openly discussed on TV, in magazines, and on the radio. These conflicts of culture become a psychological, emotional and physical issue for women integrating into the American culture.We need to bring awareness to the countries where this practice started but also need to bring awareness to well-developed countries, like the U.S. who allow FGM to take place.
If you have had experiences with FGM or know someone who has, please share them with us by commenting.
Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money
3 comments:
I did not realize this practice was actually done in the United States! Great article bringing that to light! Maybe when more people realize this is a reality to some women here in the land of the 'free', more will be done to stop it!
This is a great article because it will create an awareness among Americans regarding this practice. It is a shame that in this day and age woman are still being abused in this manner. I hope that something will be done about this.
Very interesting and quite shocking article Aigline. Very sobering information.
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