Genital modification and mutilation

From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.

Both genital modification and genital mutilation are controversial terms. Both can refer to permanent or temporary changes to the human genitals, but they are used differently by different people and to different ends; there is little consensus on their correct use.

For example, some consider any form of permanent or temporary change to the genitals mutilation. For some, any procedure that alters the genitals, from decorative piercing or tattooing to genital reassignment surgery as part of a sex change operation, is mutilation.

For others consent or medical necessity are the deciding factors. Some people might consider involuntary circumcision as mutilation, but voluntary subincision as modification. Dictionaries, however, do not refer to consent in definitions of "mutilation".

The choice of one word over another can reflect a person's political, religious, cultural or other beliefs. "Modification" (as in the term body modification) is a more neutral or positive term than "mutilation," which suggests permanent or violent damage. Thus, the term "genital modification" is generally preferred by those who view such procedures as an individual choice. The term "genital mutilation" is generally preferred by those who see certain procedures, typically those involving forced alteration, as a violation of individual rights. The term "genital mutilation" may also be used by those who have religious, cultural or personal aversions to certain types of body decoration. For still others, less "extreme" alterations (such as piercing), or alterations which they see as normative (such as male circumcision) are "modifications," while more extreme alterations (such as castration), even if undertaken voluntarily, are mutilation.

Sometimes alleged "genital mutilation" is used as punishment, typically for rape, adultery or other socially forbidden sexual practices. Some societies have historically engaged in castration or penectomy, although this is rare in the modern world (see penis removal).

Circumcision

Issues surrounding female genital mutilation or FGM, became prominent in the English-speaking world in the latter quarter of the 20th century, when opponents became aware of the practice of female circumcision in African and Muslim countries.

In most cases, female circumcision is a social practice, not a religious one. Male circumcision might be performed for religious, social or medical reasons; in the United States, circumcision was once routine for male infants and is still common.

Opposition to the routine, non-medical circumcision of infant males has grown but remains a minority position in the United States, as more than half of infant males are circumcised. The World Health Organization, a United Nations agency, campaigns against FGM (female genital mutilation) but not against male circumcision.

Elective genital alteration

In some cases, people elect to have their genitals pierced, tattooed or otherwise altered for aesthetic or other reasons.

Such modifications run the gamut from single to multiple piercings, small decorative marks to complete tattooing, to urethral relocation, and, in males, subincision or even complete bisection.

Types of genital alteration

The alterations listed below may be undertaken voluntarily by some individuals; they may also be performed for medical reasons or performed on infants or adults against their will. Whether they are considered modifications or mutilations will vary.

Removal of tissue

Male

• Circumcision
  • Posthectomy
  • Frenectomy
• Castration
  • Orchidectomy
• Penectomy

Female

• circumcision
  • Clitoridotomy
  • Clitoridectomy
  • Infibulation
• Labia reduction

Sex Reassigment

• Penile inversion

Alteration of tissue

Male

• Dorsal slit [1]
• Preputial infibulation
• Preputioplasty [2]
• Genital piercing
• Genital bisection
• Subincision
• Meatotomy
• Autocircumcision [3]
• Surgical foreskin restoration

Female

• Genital piercing
• Episiotomy

Sex Reassignment

• Colovaginoplasty
• Metoidioplasty

Addition to tissue

Male

• Foreskin restoration
• Pearling
• Gential tatooing

Female

• Gential tatooing
• Labia elongation [4]

Sex Reassignment

• Phalloplasty

See Also

• Sterilization

External links

• "US also practices genital mutilation" - editorial by opponent of male circumcision
• Genital Mutilation - from the "Women's health" section of dmoz.
• "Genital Mutilation American Style" - opinion article by witness of male circumcision. Contains statistics and a description of circumcision.
• Episiotomy: Ritual Genital Mutilation in Western Obstetrics - Information on routine episiotomies

sv:Könsstympning