Johnzelle Anderson Yes, FGM (female genital mutilation, or less accurately, “female circumcision”) is ONLY performed as a method of preserving a woman’s virginity until marriage. There are no recognized health benefits to this practice, whatsoever, and indeed, FGM has been proven to CAUSE severe health problems, infant mortality, chronic pain, and psychological trauma.

Unlike with male circumcision, all types of FGM (there are varying levels of severity of the removal of tissue) not only eradicate the ability to feel sexual pleasure, but also cause pain during intercourse. FGM is not practiced in America or other western cultures because it has been appropriately defined as a human rights violation.

If you want to learn more, read Possessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker. It is a fictional novel that dives deeply into this subject and the damage that it does to its victims, their sexual partners, and indeed, their entire communities. I know it’s not something that many Americans think they need to worry about, but it’s so important that we all (no matter our gender) understand the systemic repression of female sexual pleasure on all its levels, all over the world.

This is exactly what you expressed you wanted to fight so hard for when it came to your possible son’s sexual future (and I’m 100% behind you). We all also have to fight EXTRA hard for the sexual freedom of all the daughters of the world, too — they are already at a disadvantage, even here in America. ❤ ❤ ❤

Keep speaking up! :)