Female Circumcision: Good Tradition or Not

I agree with the author that this is an unacceptable tradition, but he/she did not write any comments concerning the other side to female circumschism.His title is: Good tradition or not? Well, what happened to the good part?

I agree that female circumcism is wrong but where were the good points? Also, if the culture is trying to ensure virginity, why not use a chastity belt or something safer. Or how about birth control? Overall, I think you did a good job on the essay.

Excellect essay.. but a horrible thought. I personally can not understand what good, or even what purpose there would be for such a tradition, though you explained it quite well. And as for the females who actually had to go through this.. I can't even find the words to explain how horrible this is for them. Again.. great essay.

" this ritual is apart of their tradition it has religious undertones" Dogface, this practice has NOTHING to do with religion, all over Africa, Animists, Christians and Muslims practice it with little or no knowledge of their fath's stance on this medieval practice.

I too believe this is unacceptable no matter even if it is a tradition. Great essay, I enjoyed reading it. Thank you

I definately agree that female circumsision is wrong but what do the African women feel about this? Do they hate it.. or are we just reasonably concluding they do.. either way good job!

I wont condone the practice but I will say this, this ritual is apart of their tradition it has religious undertones, who are we, outsiders of their world, to say what is right or wrong for them?

I totally agree: female circumcision is a painful and horrible thing, and I would personally mutilate anyone who did this to someone I loved. But the essay is flawed. Most of your arguments are either morally flawed or presumptuous. While the actual drawbacks are discussed, a large portion of the essay deals with the fact that the tradition should be changed because sexual pleasure is lessened and it was first started to prevent premarital sex. If being a slut is socially acceptable, it doesn't mean tradition is wrong! The "collective wisdom of their communities" that is being enforced on the women happens to be the will of the already-circumscribed women! African culture is totally ignored- not just circumcision, but mindset. You said "today people are educated", but many people in Africa can't read and still don't know what makes babies! (YES, this IS true- hence why birth contol attempts and anti-AIDS programs are having such difficulty). Great point to this essay, but needs a little revision.

I agree that female circumcision is a horrible thing to do to females. Just the thought of it gets gives me the willies because it is just like cutting off the males' penis. Interesting topic, I have never seen anyone write about this before.