Misogyny and Sexism in the News

Cin · 04-29-2012, 12:01 PM

When my ex partner and I were deciding whether or not to circumcise our son we believed that having it done would have benefits for him, health and other. One friend that had not been circumcised always believed sex would be more pleasurable if he had been. Although looking back I don’t know how he could possibly know that since he never was. But being the radical feminist lesbian that I am, I wanted to make sure my son had the opportunity for as much sensation and sexual pleasure as possible. I know I never wanted to genitally mutilate my son, my choice was with his best interest as my only catalyst.

I don’t think that is generally the case with female genital mutilation. And while I don’t want to minimize the pain and suffering that circumcision may have caused any male I also don’t think it is comparable to the dangers that genital mutilation causes young females. Not only is the best interest of the girl not of much concern, in many cases the mutilation is done to the girl child to increase pleasure for males.

Truly Scrumptious · 04-29-2012, 12:13 PM

Honestly I have no idea what the risks or consequences of male circumcision are, but I do know they are routinely (though I just read a report from 2009 that said only about 60% of male babies are circumcised, a decline from the 1970s when the number was around 90%) performed in hospitals by doctors.

Female genital mutilation however is "traditionally carried out by an older woman with no medical training. Anaesthetics and antiseptic treatment are not generally used and the practice is usually carried out using basic tools such as knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass and razor blades. Often iodine or a mixture of herbs is placed on the wound to tighten the vagina and stop the bleeding."

Consequences:
severe pain and shock
infection
urine retention
injury to adjacent tissues
immediate fatal haemorrhaging

Long-term implications can entail:

extensive damage of the external reproductive system
uterus, vaginal and pelvic infections
cysts and neuromas
increased risk of Vesico Vaginal Fistula
complications in pregnancy and child birth
psychological damage
sexual dysfunction
difficulties in menstruation

Justifications of FGM

The justifications given for the practise are multiple and reflect the ideological and historical situation of the societies in which it has developed. Reasons cited generally relate to tradition, power inequalities and the ensuing compliance of women to the dictates of their communities

Reasons include:

custom and tradition
religion; in the mistaken belief that it is a religious requirement
preservation of virginity/chastity
social acceptance, especially for marriage
hygiene and cleanliness
increasing sexual pleasure for the male
family honour
a sense of belonging to the group and conversely the fear of social exclusion
enhancing fertility

http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/key-issues/fgm

Toughy · 04-29-2012, 12:33 PM

I'm glad I never had a son..........I have no idea what decision I would make. I think everyone makes the best decision they can for their own son.

I am clear about FGM. No way No how for girls. I think maybe perhaps it might should be illegal for adult women. However that eliminates choice for women and could drive the practice further underground (which is true for girls also). I dunno.....I hate crap like this.....

04-29-2012, 12:33 PM	#3
Toughy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: pervert butch feminist woman Preferred Pronoun?: see above Relationship Status: independent entity Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oakland Posts: 1,826 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,068 Thanked 7,654 Times in 1,523 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I'm glad I never had a son..........I have no idea what decision I would make. I think everyone makes the best decision they can for their own son. I am clear about FGM. No way No how for girls. I think maybe perhaps it might should be illegal for adult women. However that eliminates choice for women and could drive the practice further underground (which is true for girls also). I dunno.....I hate crap like this..... __________________ We are everywhere We are different I do not care if resistance is futile I will not assimilate www.butchfemmesocials.com/

04-29-2012, 12:01 PM	#1
Cin Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Truly Madly Deeply Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: In My Head Posts: 2,815 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,333 Thanked 10,409 Times in 2,477 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	When my ex partner and I were deciding whether or not to circumcise our son we believed that having it done would have benefits for him, health and other. One friend that had not been circumcised always believed sex would be more pleasurable if he had been. Although looking back I don’t know how he could possibly know that since he never was. But being the radical feminist lesbian that I am, I wanted to make sure my son had the opportunity for as much sensation and sexual pleasure as possible. I know I never wanted to genitally mutilate my son, my choice was with his best interest as my only catalyst. I don’t think that is generally the case with female genital mutilation. And while I don’t want to minimize the pain and suffering that circumcision may have caused any male I also don’t think it is comparable to the dangers that genital mutilation causes young females. Not only is the best interest of the girl not of much concern, in many cases the mutilation is done to the girl child to increase pleasure for males.

04-29-2012, 12:13 PM	#2
Truly Scrumptious Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: She's my mirror twin, my next of kin Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Entre Lajeunesse et la sagesse Posts: 667 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,047 Thanked 1,780 Times in 557 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	Honestly I have no idea what the risks or consequences of male circumcision are, but I do know they are routinely (though I just read a report from 2009 that said only about 60% of male babies are circumcised, a decline from the 1970s when the number was around 90%) performed in hospitals by doctors. Female genital mutilation however is "traditionally carried out by an older woman with no medical training. Anaesthetics and antiseptic treatment are not generally used and the practice is usually carried out using basic tools such as knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass and razor blades. Often iodine or a mixture of herbs is placed on the wound to tighten the vagina and stop the bleeding." Consequences: severe pain and shock infection urine retention injury to adjacent tissues immediate fatal haemorrhaging Long-term implications can entail: extensive damage of the external reproductive system uterus, vaginal and pelvic infections cysts and neuromas increased risk of Vesico Vaginal Fistula complications in pregnancy and child birth psychological damage sexual dysfunction difficulties in menstruation Justifications of FGM The justifications given for the practise are multiple and reflect the ideological and historical situation of the societies in which it has developed. Reasons cited generally relate to tradition, power inequalities and the ensuing compliance of women to the dictates of their communities Reasons include: custom and tradition religion; in the mistaken belief that it is a religious requirement preservation of virginity/chastity social acceptance, especially for marriage hygiene and cleanliness increasing sexual pleasure for the male family honour a sense of belonging to the group and conversely the fear of social exclusion enhancing fertility http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/key-issues/fgm