When all these satisfied women are claiming an increase in sexual pleasure, are they talking about their own, or their ability to satisfy their partner? Again, raising the question of who or what brought the subject up in the first place.
Equally, if not more disturbing, is the fact that 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 good reason is there for a person who is not even legally sexually active to have this procedure done? What kind of mindset is being developed in the young women who believe they need to modify their genitalia? As these people have not reached age of consent, they require their parent’s permission to have the surgery. What are these people thinking?
We find the ritual abuse of young women’s genitalia in other countries appalling. Yet, women of all ages in our society are having the equivalent done on a daily basis under the guise of body enhancement.
There is no evidence (Dr. Matlock refuses to submit studies for publication in medical journals because he does not want anyone stealing his techniques) supporting any of the claims made of increased sexual pleasure. There has been no study done on what the possible repercussions of this procedure could be, or if the effects are permanent.
Even if this were completely risk-free, what does it say about our view of woman? Do not these type of demands for physical perfection placed on women further reduce them in stature to mere objects modifiable for men’s pleasure?
Before we start pointing fingers at other cultures and how backward they are, we need to take a good long look at our own. Until we get over the notion that women only exist to please men, we have no right to take any sort of moral high ground on any issue. The stones we are throwing are will soon start bringing our own house down around our ears.
Pub: NB
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