STOP FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN THE UK

indeed riverwalk and performed before Islam ..it is cultural in origin not religious. Not that I would condone it either way!

granjura from where did you hear that imams perform FGM by teeth? I've never heard of such practise.

Also, it's rather unfair to use the phrase 'imams' implying that's it's a Muslim tradition; it's an almost exclusively African tradition.

Yes - I remember this discussion before. I am equally opposed to male genital mutilation. Both are totally unacceptable unless done by grown adults who make their own choice. At least female genital mutilation is illegal in this country, which makes a statement of moral principle and allows for prevention, however ineffective. Baby boys have no such protection. None at all.

This is an advert .reported.

Ooops, so where is that edit function- thanks anno.

No it is not common in the uk, just as female circumcision is not 'common' either. Even with anesthetic and in controlled medical conditions, it is still a form of mutilation done on a child too young to give their consent, and that is wrong, in both cases.

granjura think the last sentence needs more thought too..sensationalism... Jimmy Savil was a DJ thatefre all DJs are paedophiles..nonsense as is the implication that circumcision by teeth is common!

granjura, I think you might like to re-phrase your first sentence.

Totally agree that this barbaric practice should still go on, in the UK and of course in traditional Muslim areas.

However, I always find it difficult to accept that most people condone circumcision not for strict medical reason. This is also often done without aneasthetic, in very traditional families done by the Imam with his teeth!
Why is this more acceptable? To me, both should be illegal.

dorset, I had to go back to my OP to check that. I thought I was quoting the wording of the petition which actually said 'thousands' which is probably more credible than 'tens of thousands'.

Annobel tens of thousands? Are you sure it's that many in the UK alone? Not world wide ? Tens of thousands is a huge figure. Have signed a petition like this before and have signed again. There is a book called 'Slave' by Mende Nazer in which the character undergoes this barbaric custom.

I am a little confused - obviously we are all totally opposed to any kind of ritual mutilation, but the link seemed to be to an advert for a book of advice to asylum seekers.
I think I have signed other petitions on this subject, but I am happy to sign again if I can find the right place

Signed - I'm opposed to all ritual mutilation.

I hadn't seen this thread before! FMG is illegal in the Uk. Its illegal to take a girl aboad for this purpose but its very difficult to "police". How do you find out if it been done? Routine inspections of those from a culture where this is practised is hardly ethical.

It has to be through better education and publicity but its hardly happy family viewing for television to want have programs or campaigns on either.

Very difficult I hope the above campaign can make progress.

Message deleted by Gransnet.

Yes, I think they look awful!

You can spot those veneers a mile off, especially on the TV, can't you? They don't look natural at all in a lot of cases - you practically need sunglasses to look at them!

Not to mention the fact that they have been convinced that they should have all kinds of cosmetic treatment. Talking to a girl who works in the cafe today - she has just had braces - fair enough, her teeth are crooked. But now she is saying she "really wants veneers" so she can have very white teeth. I think that, especially as she has dark brown skin, this will be an alarming look!

Ella46 I do agree that we are indeed a warped society if women feel they have to have what is referred to as "designer vaginas" but I imagine its their choice as a grown adult and not something they have foisted upon them. JessM can also see why Muslims would have reservations about the worst aspects of our society, drink, drugs and sexual promiscuity amongst the very young. I hate the way young girls are made to feel that they have to remove ALL body hair these days, to keep male partners happy, how awful to grow up having so many hangups about something that's totally natural, but that's a whole new discussion.

I can absolutely see why muslims in this country worry about their daughters! there are many aspects to female behaviour that cannot encourage them to give up their traditional values - rather the revers.
I think it goes back to the multiculturalism vs integration debate. Finding a balance between the two is not easy. But if the Chinese community were binding the feet of baby girls it would not be permitted. FGM is hidden and affects an area of the body that is surrounded with taboos in all cultures. After all, as I once said while giving an academic paper (surprised the audience) - C* is the worst thing you can call someone.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2178714/Wellcome-Trust-charity-releases-animated-film-explain-British-women-choosing-labiaplasty.html

How can we expect other cultures to listen to us when stupid women in the UK and America are having designer vaginas?

Sorry I think the journalist was from the Independent and not the Guardian.

Greatnan so agree, but there is a great disconnect by so called liberals in their support for certain ethnic minorities and those minorities attitude towards women and gays. I believe there was an argument at a recent debate between a female journalist who writes for the Guardian and David Starkey regarding the grooming of young girls by certain members of the mainly Pakistani community. The gist of it was that David Starkey said something along the lines that Asian men that hold these disgusting attitudes towards young white women need to imbue themselves in our culture and values (sorry I'm not quoting verbatim but you get the picture) The female Guardian journalist told him he was racist for holding those views. I think some other female journalist who was also at this event then told her that she was a disgrace to her sex, if that was the case, then all I can say is good!

I have given up trying to be politically correct about any culture than does not give equal rights to all its citizens. The Islamic suicide bombers were apparently promised 72 virgins in Paradise. Nobody seems to have asked what happens to the virgins after they are deflowered. It really says everything about their attitude to women.
To hell with respecting all cultures equally - some are still in the Dark Ages and the sooner they get dragged into the 21st century the better.

Done

I guess these days (in the west) the men see porn and know what un-mutilated genitalia look like...