Female Genital Mutilation is Sexual Abuse Essay -- FGM, Female Genital

Female circumcision, also known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), is a very dangerous surgery. It is done to girls of any age, from a few days old to right before their wedding. The most common age is three. In most countries where FGM is practiced the clitoris is considered dangerous to the man. At one point they thought that if a penis touched a clitoris, it would shrivel up and fall off. Girls in Africa and parts of Asia are genitally mutilated for family honor, cleanliness, protection against spells, insurance of virginity and faithfulness to the husband, or to terrorize women out of sex. In the late 70’s and early 80’s parts of Europe and the United States used circumcision as a way to â€Å"cure† over-sexed or neurotic women. No matter what the excuse for it, Female Genital Mutilation is a form of sexual abuse. There are three types of Female Genital Mutilation. The first type, Sunna, meaning tradition, is the only form that can correctly be called circumcision. Sunna is the removal of the tip of the clitoris. The second, clitoridectomy, is the most commo...