Laurel&Maaya

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__**A Cutting Tradition **__ This article covers on how in Indonesia, mothers take their daughters to be circumcised as either for health benefits or as a ritual. (rite of passage)

__**Questions:**__ 2. Should circumcising be banned as a law? 3. How would banning circumcision affect the Muslim religion?**
 * 1. What do you generally think about circumcising girls?

When I first read this article, I was disgusted that more than 96% of family have their daughter's circumcised. I could not believe they hold such a "ritual" at an elementary school with just desks put together to make a bed. I feel bad for the girls who are being circumcised because the parents think that it is good for her health wise, too. But in reality, a doctor said that circumcising a girl has no benefit for her, and on the other hand it is okay if boys are circumcised because it decreases the chances of getting infections. I am so fortunate to be living in America where they know what is good for you and not. I also am glad that I was not born into a Muslim family because I would have been circumcised just like all these other girls. I examined the pictures that were displayed on the site, and each girl looked afraid and it makes me even sadder because it is not benefiting any of these girls. When I read the part about the extreme circumcision where they cut off the clitoris and stitch up the vaginal opening disgusted me, and I literally said "Oh My Gosh," as I was reading it. I hope in the near future, this traditional ritual becomes banned so these girls will not be in pain. ​ As I read this article I was filled with disgust of the action but sympathetic for the girls who were the victims. Many of these girls were getting circumcised against their will; taught that it is supposed to be a good thing. However, many of them were under the age of five, which I find very disturbing. Even boys are receiving the circumcision, but not many compared to the hundreds of girls who receive them. I was very shocked to read these statements on the three benefits to circumcision: '“One, it will stabilize her libido,” he said through an interpreter. “Two, it will make a woman look more beautiful in the eyes of her husband. And three, it will balance her psychology.”' I disagree with this because I am a girl and I know what it feels like to be restricted. Stabilizing one's libido is tough especially when it comes a time in a girl's life where she discovers her sexuality. Men have libidos too so I would think it is hard to look at your wife and realize that she might not be able to get pregnant. But a man should always think his wife is beautiful no matter what, so I only disagree partly with that statement. However, I do not think it can balance one's psychology. It is hard for a woman who has been circumcised to feel normal. There are many permanent risks such as infertility that could affect emotions and self confidence. By being circumcized, they are not able to share the same feelings as normal girls and women have in other countries. I wish that this painful surgery is banned in these foreign countries because it prevents a girl from exploring herself and just having a normal life.
 * __Maaya's Response__ **
 * __Laurel's Response__**