Of the various topics that cause concern for individuals trying to raise the status of women internationally, circumcision and ritual mutilation have long been considered a crime of horrendous proportions. Unlike male circumcision, which is primarily health-related and performed early in life, female genital rites are done as the girl approaches puberty and lacks the justification of health issues.
While within the medical community male circumcision, except in the case of religion, goes in and out of style, no obstetrician would even consider the procedure for a girl. Vaginal circumcision is an act of unnecessary violence used to mark a woman as property, and reduce the amount of pleasure she can receive from sex.
Since her purpose is to provide babies to any prospective husband, enjoyment is not considered a prerequisite for procreation. The theory is that denial of pleasure will keep her from wandering, and of course the physical marks will let any other man know she is somebody else’s property.
In North America, we are far too sophisticated to allow that sort of practice to occur. Our enlightened society would never allow women to be so maltreated, at least, not without their permission. Now comes the news that the latest fad in plastic surgery is vaginal modifications.
Once your lips are right, your hips are fine, and your breasts just perky enough, the final touch-up required is that little nip and tuck to give you the perfect vagina. The Globe and Mail reports that Dr. David Matlock of Los Angeles has pioneered this latest “advancement” in the field of cosmetic surgery.
The techniques have long been known to obstetricians from their work in repairing new mother’s episiotomies. While a surgeon may have added an extra stitch to tighten the vaginal wall (called the “stitch for the husband”) on their own, actual deliberate vaginal modification was unheard of until now.
Women come to Dr. Matlock clutching pictures of how they’d like their vaginas to look. Airbrushed pictures out of porn magazines tend to be the usual references, leading one to wonder who planted the idea in their heads in the first place. Why would a woman be checking out the shape and size of another woman’s vagina?
The more likely scenario is their significant other, (not ruling out same sex partner here because sexual politics is sexual politics) has let it slip “casually” that they think so and so’s vagina looks perfect. If you are like me, you are probably still wondering how you bring this topic of conversation up casually.
Over breakfast with the morning coffee do you idly turn to your wife and say: “By the by dear, I was looking through Hustler last night and I really like Miss April’s vagina, what’s your opinion?” Unless Hustler has changed dramatically in style, as I remember you used to be able to see up into a woman’s throat with their manner of presentation, it would make an ideal visual aid for this type of comparison study.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - dietdoc
gypseyman, I humbly submit that "enlightened society, to my thinking, is an oxymoron.
I enjoy(ed) your writing.
Cheers,
Ron
2 - Bob A. Booey
Great job, Gypsyman. You nailed it. That sociology professor you quote is right on the ball too.
That is all.
3 - Natalie Bennett
Great post. I would, however, point out that campaigners on the issue prefer to refer to "female genital mutilation", rather than "circumcision", both because it is more accurate and because the second term downplays its horrific nature.
Amnesty International has a report on the issue.
A short extract ...
"In some cultures, girls will be told to sit beforehand in cold water, to numb the area and reduce the likelihood of bleeding. More commonly, however, no steps are taken to reduce the pain ...
An estimated 135 million of the world's girls and women have undergone genital mutilation, and two million girls a year are at risk of mutilation - approximately 6,000 per day."
4 - Mark Sahm
Until doctors can turn the vagina into a miniature Stargate that transports all who touch it to the mega-orgasmic universe, there is no need for any silly upgrade.
It's just another way for rich doctors to prey on the insecure, self-conscious, and people with money to waste. Ladies, be proud of what you have. It's all good.
Thorough post, Gypsyman.
Natalie, thanks for the terminology. I agree--- circumcision tries to make it sound justified, when it is anything but.
5 - Victor Lana
Gypsy,
What about women who want to become "virgins" again? As far as I know this is possible. Any info on this aspect of the situation?
6 - adam
Great post.
7 - dietdoc
Mark writes: "It's just another way for rich doctors to prey on the insecure, self-conscious, and people with money to waste."
Reply: The truth will set you free! As long as there is human insecurity - and the media to provide it when lacking- there will be doctors willing to trade on that insecurity. Not to improve health, mind you, but - as you say, Mark - simply to turn a buck. It saddens and sickens me that, as a member of this "profession" (it was once a "calling"), doctors will do virtually anything to make money in an ever-competitive marketplace for their "services." And I am not entirely sure we need to include the aforementioned "virtually" after reading this article.
Cheers,
Ron
8 - John G.
How do you improve on perfection? This goes for any cosmetic surgery. I can see how someone who was maimed or otherwise malformed, needing reconstructive type surgery but this is way out there. Girls, don't do it! Go out and buy yourslf a new wardrobe instead. that would at least be something you could show off.
9 - Nate Jay
I must admit that as a man, the vaginas I see in porn movies are generally much more attractive than what I have encountered in real life, but I have to say this is going a bit far! It could end up being another blow to many women’s self esteem. But on the other hand, many attractive young women today seem to want a guy with the "perfect big penis"...just like one sees in porn, so it tends to afflict both men and women.
10 - Nancy
Any women stupid & supine enough to fall for this surgery are too stupid to live. Any guy suggesting it should be (pardon the expression) coldcocked. "A youthful & aesthetically appealing vulva" ??? Unless you're a porn star, I can't think of anyone who goes around showing theirs off, socially or otherwise. And I can't think of anyone watching who would know the difference.
11 - Eric Olsen
hilarious and quite disturbing - great job on this g-man!
Who doesn't want a “youthful and aesthetically appealing vulva”?
12 - Mark Sahm
With the lights out, all vulvas are aesthetically pleasing.
13 - Eric Olsen
"With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us"
14 - Mark Sahm
Maybe an aesthetically appealing vulva is what smells like teen spirit.
Cobain... that genius!
15 - gypsyman
There was a brief mention of hyman restoration in the article that I link to. It said that it was primarily done in the mid east where of course the need for a virgin bride is a lot more important than here.
16 - David
When male genitalia is respected and foreskins are left intact because they belong to the boy and the boy alone, I will entertain your premise. Until then, what's good for a male is also good for a female. If she gets conned into something as stupid as this, it's probably related to the confusion engendered by the disparate ways males and females are thought of, treated, and taught in our society.
17 - Eric Olsen
"Fore more skins! Fore more skins!"
18 - gypsyman
That reminds me of a really bad joke a childhood friend used to tell(he's since gone on to become a rabbi) At a bris(ritual jewish circumsicion)the rabbi gets paid and the mole(the one who does the snipping)gets the tips.
19 - Mark Saleski
gawd....
this is bringing to mind the old snl ad where they perform the circumcision in the back of a ...cadillace? lincoln? can't remember.
20 - gypsyman
Holy,
Yeah I remember that one, it was a take off on whoever was doing the ad with a diamond cutter in the back seat of a car too prove the stability of the ride.
As I remember the procedure wasn't quite as succesful as the diamond cutting.
21 - Marianne
I wanted to point out that the majority of those who are criticizing vaginal rejuvenation are men. I also am a little disappointed in the women who are commenting, especially that those who seek this surgery are too stupid to live. It must be great to have such a perfect body image or perfect body parts. To not feel one needs to lose weight, improve their teeth, their hair, their body parts, their mind. It must be wonderful to not feel the need to improve oneself at all. Why look down on someone who feel insecure about such an intimate subject?
The fact of the matter is, after childbirth the vagina is affected, the labia minora and stretch out (and also with age and having no children). Some find this extra skin uncomfortable either physically or emotionally because they feel self conscious about it while in the presence of a sexual partner, a platonic friend, or frankly while they are in the privacy of their own home--alone. Many women feel that a circumcised penis is more attractive, there are no medical reasons for the need, why is this acceptable -- barring religious reasons.
Not to mention female genitalia mutilation. In my opinion reconstruction is their right. And thank goodness we have the ability to reverse it.
We do not frown on the "extra stitch" after childbirth with and without an episiotomy. Men, honestly, would you rather perform oral sex on an attractive vagina or one which has been stretched out, has long, deflated labia and gray hair. Think about it. Just as men and the women who have them do not appreciate long, deflated sagging breasts, the vagina is no different although it has a purpose and when ther are abnormalities or simply the "aged vagina" it affects the sex life ether physically or emotionally, or both.
Men: if your penis was abnormal in the sense that others, be it a friend, or a lover, made a comment about your penis being *different* from other penises, or unattractive, would you feel the same? Or would you seek surgery or, even if you could, take a pill and wake up the next day with a better looking penis so you would no longer be embarassed?
Please remember where most insecurities come from, either comments from reltives when we are young and impressionable, loved ones or strangers in the present. Comparison to the norm projected, or rather bombarding every one of us.
I think it is unfortunate for others to criticize another for what they do with their own body. If a person chooses to get plastic surgery, a piercing, a tattoo or body build more than the norm, it is their prerogative and to judge someone on this is the new/old low. Not having the procedure itself. People once thought that about those who dyed their hair...they were floosies, harlots and trash.
I am sure all of you have done something in your life that caused someone to think you were too stupid to live. To be so perfect...
22 - bhw
the rabbi gets paid and the mole(the one who does the snipping)
I think you mean the "mohel."
A mole an unsightly blemish on the skin. Or an animal that lives underground.
23 - Eric Olsen
one word: kegels
24 - Bennett
"kegels" is not in my dictionary.
Gimme another word.
25 - mnc
This is a great piece of work. Well done and as a woman, I thank you and appreciate your input and research on theis matter.
As for David with his comment on circumcision "When male genitalia is respected and foreskins are left intact because they belong to the boy and the boy alone, I will entertain your premise. Until then, what's good for a male is also good for a female"
You obviously need to re-work your idea of what’s fair. Educate yourself : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_circumcision