Does anybody wake up in the morning and say, "I just really, really, really need to have my genitals reshaped"...
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.…
Article comments
26 - Eric Olsen
kegel exercises: women pulling themselves up by their internal bootstraps after childbirth.
Kegels for everyone! Kegels on the house! Kegel for peace!
27 - Bennett
Marianne wrote "would you rather perform oral sex on an attractive vagina or one which has been stretched out, has long, deflated labia and gray hair"
My lover's genitalia are beautiful, no matter how they might be. All this is such nonsense really. Believe me, if life is an illusion then I pretty much guarantee you that the small differences in shape or size of labia are of such little consequence to be not worth mentioning.
A clean aroused woman is as much as I can handle. All that I need or desire. Details beyond that are trivial.
28 - Temple Stark
Marianne - your position plays right into what men want, not what women want.
And I have to say "some men" because I hate plastic boobs, collegen lips - anything that permanently and with malice aforethought changes the body.
I know some women do it "just to please themselves" so my opinion is worthless to them. But many many many more do it to please some guy and that's sick.
And PS - fake boobs are obvious if you're showing any cleavage, so don't.
PPS Since when did porn star become a standard to live up to?
Now I'm going to ruin everything I just saud because if you have bad teeth - fix them, straighten them, make them better. You neglected them early on and you need to fix them. Men and women of course.
(Now of course the cost is somewhat prohibitive).
29 - gypsyman
Marrianne, I couldn't help noticing your address, enhancementmedia.com Does that mean your domain has something to do with the enhancement business? Or I am overly cynical as to why yours has been the only female comment in support of the procedure.
30 - Bennett
Great call gypseyman! I was wondering wtf! Never expected to read a comment like that from a member of the female persuasion!
It all makes sense now...
31 - Tara
I see no problem whatsoever with having female circumcision as a plastic surgery option for grown adults. Why not? Just as I see no problem with an adult male modifying himself through male circumcision. The key word is "Himself" or "Herself".
There is no reason to force a genital modification on either a male or female infant or child. It is unethical and unnecessary.
As far as MGM(male genital mutilation) or male "circumcision" goes, no it is not "health related", as no health organization in the world recomends that this is done to a baby boy. It is, like FGM(female genital mutilation), a cultural phenomena that is unfortunately, taking its sweet ime in dying off.
Tara.
32 - Bob A. Booey
Mark Sahm, not the hairy, diseased ones.
That is all.
33 - Mark Sahm
Booey: Trimmed is nice. But forests still welcome a mushroom headed hiker just the same. But I understand your concerns.
34 - Jewels
Kissing collegen lips is like sucking on vinyl. All rubbery without manipulation.
Kegels keep "it" tight and make sure of 2 things:
1.) sex feels good for your partner AND you
2.) you won't be peeing on yourself when you're like 60. (Depends)
Also doing kegels has nothing to do with porn, it's about healthy sex.
35 - Jenna
"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."
Downplays? Not at all. I find genital mutilation of unconsenting children (boys and girls) equally horrific. By the way, FGM Type I removes the prepuce (aka foreskin) of the clitoris and male circumcision removes the prepuce (foreskin) of the penis, so they are extremely comparable.
Both sick, horrible practices that should be outlawed.
If an adult wants to get them done though, it's their body.
36 - Keri
Marianne, Thank you for speaking up.
37 - Julia
I think it is ultimately pathetic that there are people, particulary so called "medical professionals" who still insist that circumcising a boy without his individual concent is o.k. but it is wrong to cut a girl without her concent. Routine Male Infant Circumcsion is the greatest crime in America. It proves that there are one too many stupid hipocrites living than there ought to be.
38 - Nancy
Wellll...half of this 'stupid hypocrisy' happens to be religious tradition, and the rest of it stems from considerable studies showing that circumcision of the foreskin lowers incidence of penile cancer. Also, like sterilization, it's a lot bigger deal with a female than a male. More extensive, that is.
39 - ss
'Routine Male Infant Circumcsion is the greatest crime in America. It proves that there are one too many stupid hipocrites living than there ought to be.'
That's a passionate defense of the foreskin but it seems...
A little over the top
40 - Barb in Md
I for one have no problem with Plastic surgery. I had two beautiful children and lost weight...so I had a ton of skin left over. So I had it removed...which made my life so much more pleasent. As for the vaginal rejuvination...if a woman feels that badly about herself down there..who are WE to tell her it is wrong to fix it. I agree with Marianne..if a mans penis is looking kind of strange...he would fix it in a heart beat...god forbid he should be a topic at the gym. I think before someone is mean to another person for the choices they make they should have to walk in their shoes for more then a minute. As for the other person saying that their girlfriend/wifes genitalia is beautiful saggy or not...that is so sweet...but it doesn't really matter if the wife/girlfriend is embarrassed by it. Just like a woman who gets implants..MOST get them to fill up a bra...put back what breast feeding children deflated...if you don't like them...then don't get them.
Barb in Maryland :)
41 - Temple Stark
>>That's a passionate defense of the foreskin but it seems...
A little over the top
Roaring with laughter. ..... wipes away tears.
42 - Adrienne
THANK YOU MARIANNE!
Why are some so judgmental?!?! To each their own! YES, I think alot of women would do this for THEMSELVES...not for others. It's an intimate surgery that I have even considered...although I have decided against having it. No man has EVER said anything short of complimentary about my vagina, but there is something there I find "unattractive". I have just accepted it. For some, I don't think that's possible. There are all different things that people can be insecure about and want to change. Why would this be any different?
It's simple - Women that are secure/confident enjoy sex more!
Single-minded and judgmental people...GRRR! I'm so glad we were all made to be different. I would hate to be THAT way!
43 - Eric Olsen
"Dr. Matlock! Dr. Matlock! we've got a bleeder in operating room 2!"
"It's just that time of the month"
44 - debs
I was 21 when I had my First Child 9LB difficult vaginal delivery.
Before this I was very familiar with my vagina,great sex,high self asteem especially sexually.I had done the feminist looking at my vulva in the mirror.I liked what I saw.Genrally it was expressed they were ugly.smelly.Disgusting things.So Many women self concious due to this propaganda.Do not like (people) to look at them ,recive oral sex.They recoil from that part of them selves.
I agree that women need to Know what is normal.That like testicals in males, we to do mature to look diffrent to our neat childlike vulvas.our labia miner desends outside the labia major in varying degrees. It becomes uneven.Imagine a scrotum without the testicals in.
But if this is excessive why not have the option to circumcise it.
If having an intact Hymen makes you feel self worth again why not.There is many issues relating to sex and sexuality and people make mistkes.they arenot" that stupid they shouldnt live"
Surley they are taking charege of there lives.
After birth the hymen is ablitorated
the vagina is stretched the perinium is shortened(tented) or torn.
15 yrs ago the knowledge of vaginal hymen reconstructive surgery was not widely known.Lets embrase the choice not judge women for giving into pressure.they have minds of their own and awarness of their sexuality.Do not insult them by assuming they are doing it for someone elses benifit.
I 15yrs on am looking forward to reconstruction and regaining my lost sexual being.
MYSELF
45 - CHINIZA
IS THEIR SOMETHING BETTER TO SPEND MONEY ON? WE ARE (ALL) GOING TO GET UGLY AND SAGGY FROM OUR ENTIRE BODIES ONE DAY! IT SEEMS LIKE SPENDING HARD EARNED MONEY THIS WAY OR ANY PLASTIC SURGERY WAY IS A BIG WASTE OF THE HOURS IN A DAY, WEEK, MONTH OR YEAR SPENT WORKING TO EARN THIS MONEY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO PLAN ON DOING THIS AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO A CHILD, WOULDN'T THAT MONEY BENEFIT YOUR CHILDREN IN MANY WAYS?
46 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
My e-mail address is a girl's name in Hebrew. So I can't wait for the ads in Hebrew to come in on my e-mail promising me the prettiest lips in all Israel - at just above wholesale.
47 - Richard Marcus
chiniza: I couldn't agree more with you.
Ruvy, I don't think I want to know your email address.
Richard
48 - panax
"Unlike male circumcision, which is primarily health-related"
And what research supports this statement?
49 - Deb
Dear Richard,
I didnt think I would find a male who is as outraged at this labioplasty crap as I am. I am the mother of a 19 yr old who has dreamed up the ida of having her labia trimmed, and our GP referred her without my knowledge (my consent not required=18 years old) to laser surgeon who promptly carried out her insane desire. I had never heard of labio/aplasty let alone dreamed that my crazy mixed up body image obsessed daughter would do it. She should have been referred for counselling first at the very least.
Richard, or someone out there, speak to me, I desperately need a sane person to communicate with about this. I am speaking to lawyers and psychologists about what should be done about these expletive deleted medically abusive basket case people, who have made a lot of money.
Deb (Adelaide SouthAustralia) [Personal contact info deleted]
50 - Lynn
That's crazy sugery on privates? Can't mankind leave things alone. It seems some mankind likes to attack the untouched wether it is undeveloped forest or cause commercial devlopment on themselves. Outward and inward.
My mom is getting cosmetic surgery I would love to speak to the womans magazines that brainwashed her.
51 - LINDA
DEAR RICHARD I FOUND THIS ON ARTICAL ON THE INTERNET AND YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON...THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE INTERESTED I KNOW MY OPINION MAYBE LATE COMING BUT HERE IT IS.
I FIND THE WORLD WE LIVE IN VERY CONFUSING. WE SAY WE HAVE ADVANCED AS A SOCIETY AND AS PEOPLE. WELL FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS I WOULD SAY NOT. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR YOUTH AND OURSELVES WHEN WE PROMOTE AND JUSTIFY THE IDEA THAT AN ESCORTS/MODELS/STRIPPERS/PROSTITUTES/SINGERS/REGULAR MOVIE STARS AND PRON STARS AND THE LIST GOES ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE WANT TO LOOK LIKE, BEHAVE LIKE. WE EVEN RESPECT AND JUSTIFY THEM BREAKING THE LAW. WHY IS IT WE BELIEVE THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE PERFECT IN EVERY WAY RIGHT DOWN TO THEIR VAGINA'S AND PENIS'S. THESE PEOPLE ARE NARRCOSISTIC AND THEY ARE VERY GOOD CONS OR SHOULD I SAY PERFORMERS. SOCIETY IS FULL OF THESE SELF CENTERED AND SELF ABSORBED PEOPLE. THEY ARE NOT CLOSE TO PERFECTION BUT THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT MAKING PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE. WE BELIEVE THIS SO MUCH THAT RIGHT TOO THE POINT OF HAVING A VAGINA OR PENIS JUST LIKE THERES. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY STORIES IN THE 55 YEARS I HAVE BEEN ALIVE THAT ANYONE BROKE OFF A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE THEY LOVED OVER UGLY GENITALIA. IS THIS THE NEW TREND SINCE WOMEN HAVE REMOVED ALL THEIR PUBIC HAIR AND THE VAGINA HAS BEEN EXPOSE, AND MEN HAVE LEARNED MORE ABOUT ORAL SEX AND SEX IS A SPORTING EVENT YOU DO AS MANY AS YOU CAN. NO WONDER THESE LAST GENERATIONS OF MEN AND WOMEN ARE SO INSECURE THEY ARE BEING COMPARED TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE RATHER THEN JUST A FEW. INSTEAD OF BREAKING OFF THE RELATIONSHIP JUST TURN DOWN THE LIGHT OR PUT ON YOUR ROSE COLORED GLASSES. WHAT HAPPENED TO EXCEPTING OUR SELVES THE WAY WE ARE. SEX AND APPEARANCES ARE OVER RATED EVEN LESS THEN PERFECT PEOPLE HAVE GREAT SEX...DO YOU NOT THINK THAT THE REASON THEY HAVE GREAT SEX BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BUSY WORRYING ABOUT THINGS THAT REALLY DO NO MATTER (IN OTHER WORDS THEY DO NOT GIVE A F..K WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE THEY JUST ARE HAPPY WHO THEY ARE AND WHO THEIR WITH). I FIND IT FUNNY THAT THE MINORITY OF PEOPLE SEEM CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING THE MAJORITY (MUCH LIKE OUR GOVERNMENT). THESE PEOPLE HAVE US ALL CONVINCED THAT WE SHOULD TURN OVER OUR MONEY/BODIES AND MINDS TO THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SO PERFECT THEY DESERVE IT. SPEND YOUR TIME AND MONEY ON THING THAT REALLY COUNT. NO ONE GIVE A DAM ABOUT YOUR UGLY VAGINA OR PENIS. UNLESS THAT IS HOW YOU MAKE A LIVING AND THESE ARE THE VERY PEOPLE WHO GET THIS DONE. IF YOUR VAGINA OR PENIS IS SO UGLY JUST PAY SOMEONE TO LOVE IT AND TELL YOU HOW PREFECT IT IS. IN PRON MOVIES THE PEOPLE OFTEN ARE LESS THEN BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT. BUT THEY ALL HAVE GREAT VAGINA'S AND PENIS'S(THIS IS WHERE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION IS). IN PORN MOVIES NOW DAYS THE PENIS SPENDS MORE TIME IN AN AS...HOLE THEN A VAGINA SO MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL RUN OUT AND GET THE HAIR REMOVED FROM THEIR TOO/A LITTLE BLEACHING TO MAKE IS NICE AND PINK AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST DO NOT FORGET THE SURGERY FOR THE PERFECT AS.....HOLE. WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED ALL THIS THEN YOUR READY TO SHOW THE WORLD AND BE A NARRCOSISTIC MINORITY JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE YOU FASHIONED YOURSELF AFTER. NO ONE WAKES UP A SAYS OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE BOY MY VAGINA OR PENIS IS UGLY...AND IF YOU DO...BREAK THE MIRROR/ GET RID OF THE PORN MOVIES/PICTURE BOOK/MAG AND WHAT EVER YOU DO DO NOT GO SEE STRIPPERS. MY POINT IS THAT WE HAVE BECOME SO VISUAL AS A SOCIETY THAT WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE OUR OTHER SENSE. BY THE WAY MY OPINION ON ANAL SEX IS THE DAY I HAVE AN ORGASUM WHILE TAKING A CRAP WILL BE THE DAY I CHANGE MY OPINION.
52 - RJ
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.
I doubt many women are paying money to have their private parts "re-formed" to look like those of Hustler models. They'd be better off just fisting themselves with a baseball glove on a couple times a day for a few months, if they wanted that particular look... :-/
53 - RJ
"Dr. Matlock's demographic is expanding to include teenage girls as young as fifteen. His claim of them being physically mature as justification for performing the operation is nauseating."
What sort of fifteen year old girl is so loose that she needs surgery to "tighten" herself up? And, perhaps more importantly, what sort of parent consents to this procedure?