Circumcision Outlawed

[MotherNurture]

Egypt outlaws all female circumcision
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/070628/world/egypt_women_circumcision_1

Feel free to discuss...

Jen

[Africamum]

While I think this is a good decision, I am really not sure how it would be enforced.

I suspect that much of this type of pratice would be undertaken in villages etc where if egypt is anything like where I am there is very little infrastructure and very poor records.

For example it is illegal in Tanzania to take you daughter out of primary school and marry her off, yet the practice is wide spread.

I think it will take many years for the culture to adapt to the legislation.

Oh and Jen I have heard that the WHO are taking the circumision/aids campaign into Kenya! I am not sure where I saw that but it was recent! It will only encourage unprotected sex in these countries!

[OJandMe]

It's so sad isn't it :no:

the majority of global health police try to make SUCH a huge difference... but what is commonplace in Western and European societies is sssooooo different to what takes place in the countries where change is really needed.

How can we defeat this??? There are so many children, women, men in so many situations that are culturally ok, but that 'we' (whoever made us all knowing, I don't know) know on a human rights scale are 'unfair' or 'inhuman'... but how can we change this? How can we as a global community effect change where it's most needed??

[serendipity22]

There are people in Africa who say Americans who criticize female circumcision while supporting infant male circumcision are hypocrites. (The USA and Israel being the only 2 countries in the world that circumcise a majority of their male infants).

They have a point.

If you want to reduce the incidence of genital cutting of infants a good way to start is by setting an example by not doing it.

[moonblossom]

I am SO VERY HAPPY this ritual has been banned. I know it will take a lot to police, but its a start...

Now just stop [circumcising] little boys, and the world would be a much better place.

Cheers

[Mister Noodle]

Society has a tendency to adopt its laws as its mores.

Many people use the legality of male circumcision as an ethical justification ("It's my right to choose..."), so with any luck this will work the other way, helping to reduce the social acceptability of the practice.

It certainly won't fix it all in one hit, but it's got to help in the long run.

As for being hard to enforce - it may well be, but that doesn't mean a law is a bad idea. After all, unless you put a policeman in every home, laws against domestic violence are practically unenforceable in many settings - but a law against it removes the tacit approval of the state (and thus society) and also provides a chance for the practice to be at least reported and prosecuted after the fact, further discouraging it.

It's a long, slow road, but a step in the right direction.

And of course, I fully agree that the law needs to protect males just as strongly. Here's hoping we get there soon.

[secondtimearound2]

I have a friend who works in child care. Can you believe there is little girls in Australia that have been circumsized!! Point being it will still happen. It is a step in the right direction of course.

[Pippi Longstocking]

As for being hard to enforce - it may well be, but that doesn't mean a law is a bad idea. After all, unless you put a policeman in every home, laws against domestic violence are practically unenforceable in many settings - but a law against it removes the tacit approval of the state (and thus society) and also provides a chance for the practice to be at least reported and prosecuted after the fact, further discouraging it.



Yep, I concur. People do usually trot out the ol' "it's legal therefore my choice" line. I am wondering if they would change their argument if MGM were made illegal here in Australia. Changing the law would not mean an instant end to circumcision but it would mean we as a society no longer condoned it. Eventually perceptions would change and babies would be protected from this brutality.

Allowing it for one gender but not the other is hypocritical. Why are baby girls protected but not baby boys?

[MotherNurture]

Yep, I concur. People do usually trot out the ol' "it's legal therefore my choice" line. I am wondering if they would change their argument if MGM were made illegal here in Australia. Changing the law would not mean an instant end to circumcision but it would mean we as a society no longer condoned it. Eventually perceptions would change and babies would be protected from this brutality.

Allowing it for one gender but not the other is hypocritical. Why are baby girls protected but not baby boys?

Amen.

Jen

[Areca]

Absolutely....guv...I really struggle to get my head around it.

[Blueberry Crumble]

Female (and male IMO) circumcision is objectionable and should be outlawed, I hope they can enforce it.




Allowing it for one gender but not the other is hypocritical. Why are baby girls protected but not baby boys?

I agree- it should be outlawed here for boys too. I once read an article about some men who regretted their parents getting it done because they had medical problems arising from it later in life. I just dont see how adults think they have a right to do such an unnecessary proceudure on a child without his/her consent?

[secondtimearound2]

We all have the right to our own thoughts and opinions, we all
have the right to post our opinions.

Having said that, none of us have the right to insult someone or
bring them down because their opinions differ from our own.

Calling an insult an opinion does not change the fact that it is an
insult.

[jojelu]

IMO unless the child is going to have SERIOUS medical issues withthe foreskin then it should NOT be removed!

Outlaw both male and female circumcision

[Ange&Seth]

While you sit here telling us how you find it totally unnecessary - more boys are being circ'd.

If you feel that strongly about it - be proactive about it!! Get out there and speak to your local member for parliament, find out where to go from there.

Sitting on a parenting forum making people who have circ'd for whatever reason feel bad isn't helping those babies who's rights you say you're protecting! All it's doing is stirring up the age old argument of 'what makes you think you know better?'

All I'm saying is that kids in mines and parents beating their kids wasn't made illegal by a heap of people sitting on a parenting forum spouting their outrage at the act.

[our3boys]

can you just tell me what female circumcision involves i didnt think it was allowed in our country at all

[Lucan]

All I'm saying is that kids in mines and parents beating their kids wasn't made illegal by a heap of people sitting on a parenting forum spouting their outrage at the act.
Thanks for the giggle, that's so very true:laughing:
Yes, i'd love to know what the big toughies on this site do away from the computer in regards to circ?:rolleyes:
You may sway a few mums on here but not enough to outlaw it

[Ange&Seth]

can you just tell me what female circumcision involves i didnt think it was allowed in our country at all

I believe it involves removing the clitoral hood - but there could be more to it than that. And yes, I think you're right that it isn't allowed in our country at all.

[jojelu]

original post


Egypt outlaws all female circumcision
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/07062...circumcision_1 (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/070628/world/egypt_women_circumcision_1)

Feel free to discuss...

Jen

[Chickadee]

A note to everyone: Please go and read the rules for this section: http://bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=42810

and especially note this bit:


The User Agreement also states:

Quote:
you will not post any messages that are ... hateful, threatening ...

Messages should be polite and friendly. Others are free to express their opinions and beliefs and any difference of opinion should not be taken personally.

Therefore, some specific words with negative and/or emotional overtones will be edited. We at the hub value contributions from both sides of this discussion and therefore some words will be modified whenever they are used.


I have had to edit too many posts in this thread. If you cannot make your point or argue your opinion without words like 'mutilate', then your posts on this topic are not welcome on this forum.

[Areca]

Thanks for the giggle, that's so very true:laughing:
Yes, i'd love to know what the big toughies on this site do away from the computer in regards to circ?:rolleyes:
You may sway a few mums on here but not enough to outlaw it

I don't know if I'm one of those 'big toughies' or not but I did post on this thread so I will tell you that I do speak up about circumcision to the people I know and some have even gone from being pro circumcision to being anti circumcision because of my questions and information. I don't keep my mouth closed. I'm not disrespectful but then I don't think I've ever been disrespectful to anyone on the net about circumcision either.
If someone shows me what I need to do to get male circumcision outlawed in Australia then I'm there.

[Ange&Seth]

If someone shows me what I need to do to get male circumcision outlawed in Australia then I'm there.

But that's the point I'm trying to make ACE - someone needs to stand up and be pro-active, not wait for someone to show you what to do.

Not directed at you personally, just that you said 'if someone shows' you what to do and I personally think that alot of people feel this way.


I've just deleted everything else I typed cos it was too much off topic and I think we've hijacked the thread enough already :o

[Funkychicken]

This is the second time a warning is being given in this thread. Please keep the entire thread on topic or it will be closed. There is a lot that could be offered on the original topic that is being overlooked and I would like to read more about the issue at hand.