The federal law involving clitoral circumcision (A K A female genital mutilation) went into effect in 1997. The law gives five years in jail for parents who allow their daughters to participate in this ancient religious ritual. This is a African Islam practice to keep young girls from being promiscuous, they remove the clitoris to take away the pleasure of sexual experience, hard liners sew the opening almost shut as well to prevent intercourse and save virginity. This is done when the girls reach 12 years of age.
Opponents say that this is just another example of government intervening in religious matters and discrimination against Africans (who happen to be the only culture using this method)
The governments position is that this is a painful procedure which robs young girls of their womanhood. Such it may be but even though they suffer their badge of courage they still seem to propagate or the practice would have died out decades ago.
I say the government intervention if allowed should show equal process for all cultures. The practice of male circumcision is just as cruel and unwarranted. These girls have a choice I did not... the end of my pee-pee was whacked off without my consent before I could talk... Many men suffer from painful erection syndrome as a results of this procedure. We spend a 100 million dollars a year on this procedure, losing about 200 baby boys Due to complications.
How about it Congress?
Where is that equal protection under the law regardless of sex or racial origin? What about Tattoo's, ritual scaring, body piecing? One rule for all let the participants decide.
March 2007
Study Confirms Male Circumcision is Genital Mutilation
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