Ancient, long practiced customs are revered and respected through generations of families and people. But as our knowledge grows and we learn new ways of doing things through technological and medical science, sometimes we begin to question the traditional aspects of culture and custom. Such is the case with female genital circumcision (or mutilation). Which do we value more - custom and tradition, or health and medical science? We will examine some of the basic arguments, pros and cons, for each of them in an attempt to understand the reasoning of why people are so adverse to the practice and also why it is still practiced today, despite being illegal in many countries.

There are many physical and psychological reasons medicine and technology have created a surgance of opposition to female genital mutilation. Medicine considers it an endangerment to the woman's health, an unclean and messy business where it puts at risk both the woman's health (mental and physical) and the women's freedom of sexuality and individuality of choice.

Because of the illegality in many countries, the practice often takes place in non-sterile, home or outdoor settings. Some of the following health concerns take place:

• Unclean, sharp instruments are used for the procedure. Examples: Glass, knives, razors, rocks.

• Non-sterile objects often used repeatedly. Transfer of diseases and STD's is easier.

• Internal bleeding, urinary tract infections, reproductive damage. Shock, hemorrhage, and trauma can occur in the area, with a loss of feeling.

• Sexual frigidity and loss of pleasure during intercourse can occur.

• Scar tissue, or excessive scar tissue of infibulated women (those who are, for all purposes, sewn almost entirely closed after the removal of the clitoris and labia and adjoining organs in the area.)

Psychologically, damage can be done to the women as well:

• Loss of sexual desire and physical intimacy.

• Fear of contact. Anxiety, terror, humiliation and betrayal.

• Rejection of society if they do not undergo the procedure or tradition.

Knowing all this, one begins to wonder, why does the woman choose to accept to undergo female genital circumcision? Some do not feel it is mutilation, but rather a beautification and a purity ritual or right of passage. It is so ingrained in their beliefs and social structures that it is accepted as tradition and as a natural process which they all follow.

In many cultures, especially Northern African tribal societies, it is a ritualistic experience. Mother went through it and so the daughter must as well. It is a passed on secret, a rite of womanhood. It is what they do, it was done to them, and they will do it to their own daughters. A lot of times, it is kept secret - the 'tools of trade' are not shared to outsiders, there are secrets to telling if a woman has had the procedure or not.

For some woman, it is taboo that they come in the same room as non-circumcised females. It brings bad omens or luck, something that could ruin the entire household or family. For those who happily have the procedure done, they say they are happy because they are participating in the traditions of their culture. Oftentimes, it is seen as a sense of accomplishment. Those who have participated in the ritual are encouraged to be proud of their involvement, and oftentimes those who haven't are teased and mocked or shunned (for being unclean or unpure).

In non-western cultures, the clitoris was sometimes seen as a dangerous thing. It was capable of killing a baby if it touched it's head while being born, or would kill a man if his penis touched it. In primarily Ethiopian culture the belief was that the clitoris would grow and "dangle", thus making them more masculine and challenging sexuality beliefs. In Mali culture, newborns were believed to have both sexes in them, and the circumcision was to pick one sex or the other and determine their gender. Other reasons, especially more Western or Arabic beliefs, is that circumcising the woman will keep her in fidelity with her husband and not cause her to break marriage vows - or that it will reduce the sexual drive that is 'unhealthy' for women.

Cultures primarily see it as very spiritual as well. It is an attainment of purity, or passagehood, dedication and honoring tradition and family.

A short recount of reasons women may undergo circumcision include:

• Family tradition, or societal tradition. This includes rights of passagehood or womanhood, or even determining the sex of a newborn baby.

• Folk tradition and stories, which are integrated in their belief systems and values and morals.

• Maintaining family structure and fidelity to spouses.

• Removing temptation or uncleanliness.

• Beautification of the area and the genitals as a means of aesthetic appearance.

The question that remains, which ideal should be follow? Should we stop the practice altogether and try to eradicate all forms of female genital mutilation? Or should we release restrictions on it, and provide hospital attention under more sterile and safe conditions for women to continue to perform customs and traditions of their families and ancestors? What right and/or responsibility does the Western world have to intervene?

If the medical dangers become such a large concern, perhaps large attention should be placed on making the procedure more safe. Or, if the procedure is too 'barbaric' and takes away from the woman's freedom and liberty, what can be done to stop it?

We have no answers, just two sides. There are two sides to every story, two sides to every coin. The first step to finding a solution is understanding both sides of the problem in order to mediate a solution for all. Perhaps it should be an individual choice. Do YOU have the right to choose for another?

Suggested Readings:
Walker, Alice and Pratibha Parmar. Warrior Marks - Female Genital Mutilation and the Sexual Binding of Women. Harcourt Brace & Co, 1993.

"The Physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation". www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen1.html

"Feminist News Stories on Female Genital Mutilation." www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/fgm.html

"Female Genital Mutilation"
www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/amu/ucr/student/1996/k.rowley/