Since ancient times, human sexuality has been a debate that has influenced culture, societal norms, and gender responsibilities. Naturally, there are two distinct sexes—male and female—and anything in between makes an individual ostracized in the society. Furthermore, because of many societies having a propensity for patriarchy, practices have resulted in making one gender inferior to the other or superior to the other. For instance, circumcision in males is seen as a sign of manhood and strength, while circumcision in females—termed as female genital mutilation (FGM) – is a way of suppressing women sexually (Ehrenreich and Barr 17). Internationally, FGM has been condemned with the few societies participating in the practice coming from underdeveloped regions like Africa. Interestingly, another form of gender discrimination is practiced in developed nations in the form of Sexual Reassignment Surgeries (SRS). This occurs when infants are born with reduced sexual virility or ill developed sexual organs hence the doctors carry out an operation to make the infant become a predetermined sex. While debates for FGM continue to preach against it, those of SRS have been quiet signifying its unconscious approval. It is therefore imperative that I agree with Ehrenreich and Barr that FGM and SRS be condemned strongly and policies made to reinforce the action because of the negative psychological and physical effects it renders the recipient.
The proposal that both practices be illegalized can be clearly understood through critically highlighting what goes on in the practice. In the case of FGM, the operation is normally carried out on women and it is in two forms according to Ehrenreich and Barr (15): plucking of the clitoris and amputating it, and using a sharp object to completely remove both the labia minora and the clitoris. There is a lot of bleeding involved which is stopped by packing the incised area with gauzes or other absorbent materials while applying pressure until bleeding stops. FGM is usually carried out when the child is very young with those undergoing the practice while grown up doing so because of pressures. Similarly, SRS is carried out at birth or before two years of the infant is attained. A child with traumatized genitalia or transsexual is operated on to become a sex which would be easier attained. However, Kuhne and Krahl (13) showed that doctors preferred forming the female genitalia to be easier than forming a male one; hence contributing to high numbers of males trapped in female bodies.
In supporting the thesis that FGM and SRS be condemned, it is crucial to understand that their effects are similar, which are negative. The effects are categorized under psychological and physical effects. In FGM, Ehrenreich and Barr (17) highlighted the results to be various degree of psychological morbidity. This is shown to include: loss of trust, absence of bodily well-being, post-traumatic stress and depression. Despite these effects, many societies continue with the practice terming the effects as minimal compared to psychological effects and stigma associated with not undergoing the procedure. In addition, since FGM is carried out by close relatives or kinsmen, Ehrenreich and Barr 18 posit that this would provide a bond, or a sense of achievement to adulthood. However, this is not the case as victims of the practice feel betrayed and abandoned by people who were to protect them. The same authors also recorded that many women were affected by a chronic pain syndrome coupled with impairment in mobility. It is also suggested that the pain undergone in the procedure is directly related to the complications coming out. The chronic pain also contributes to increased depression. The impaired disability is also thought result in societal isolation and shunning away from health care provisions because of the feeling of deficiency.
Physical effects of FGM are numerous and some have even been though to result to death or permanent disability. However, the major physical consequence is sexual dysfunction which includes delayed orgasms, dyspareunia, and anorgasmia (Ehrenreich and Barr 19). However, theories have been produced to show that if the act was at done earlier age, the effect would be minimal. FGM has also been associated with infertility, where complications from the procedure or diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease cause the reproductive system to mal-function.
In the case of SRS, the procedure has been labeled scientifically ‘objective’ because it is seen to correct errors of FGM or infants born with genital disabilities. This has however not been the case as just like FGM, there are physical and psychological effects associated with the surgery. The surgery is not a simple procedure, but a complex one requiring multiple surgeries. According to Diamond and Sigmundson (5), the average surgeries an infant undergoes during its childhood ranges from three to five. There is also a high chance that it would be more, with the first procedure being carried at six months. The numerous procedures are an inconvenience to both the parent and the infant. Furthermore, the numerous surgeries can lead to densely scared or mal-functioning organs. For instance, vagina reconstruction called ‘vaginoplasty’ has been summarized by Ehrenreich & Barr (19) as “having an extremely high failure rate where only 34% of those performed on before age four having a favorable outcome.”
Apart from the normal pain associated with the surgery, the psychological effects come about by the many hospital visits and manipulation of their sexual organs. The results are that patients experience shame, humiliation, and discrimination, making them feel abnormal. This was depicted in Diamond and Sigmundson’s case study of Joan an intersex patient who termed the visits as unnecessary. The thoughts of Joan as narrated by Diamond and Sigmundson were “Leave me be and then I’ll be fine [] It’s bizarre. My genitals are not bothering me; I don’t know why its bothering you guys so much” (5). Depression is also a common side effect of the surgeries, where patients have been recorded to experience suicidal tendencies or severe depression. The secrecy of patient’s condition is also a contributing factor that results in humiliation. The negative emotions and feelings persist in their adulthood and it has been proven to influence their relationships. In addition to formation of unhealthy relationships, it is also postulated that intersex patients experienced poor gender identities. This was proven by Laura Hermer’s reports as qtd. by Ehrenreich and Barr, that “nearly 40% of the subjects suffered from ‘general psychopathology,’ and 25 of the 47 subjects who lacked such psychopathology nevertheless exhibited ‘deviant’ gender role behavior” (20).
There are however proponents supporting both FGM and SRS, which we can highlight their reasons and ultimately counter their arguments. In FGM, even though many have spoken against the practice, promoters of the practice specify that it is a cultural practice and that it is useful in preserving the virginity of a girl (Ehrenreich and Barr 20). This is not the case as certain cultures are patriarchal and that despite the procedure, a girl could still have intercourse if she wanted. Furthermore, proponents argue that the practice connects the victim with her kinsmen. However, this is not true as all it does is make the girl feel betrayed by her people. Even when they are adults, girls subscribe to the practice mainly because of pressures such as stigmatization or the need to marry.
In the case of SRS, the two reasons that Diamond and Sigmundson (3) highlighted which were the reason why the surgery was practiced were: sexual neutrality of children at birth, and healthy sexual development is achieved when children view actual genitals. These postulates have all been proved wrong through analysis of the lives of actual intersex children. In the first postulate, sexuality of infants at birth is never neutral as genetically the chromosomes have already determined their gender. Hence, the theory is that sexuality is innate and can be in three categories; male, female, or both. Hence, whatever sex the infant is born in should be left for him to decide when he/she is older. Kuhne & Krahl (9) proved this when he concluded that intersex offspring were happier when they grew up without undergoing the surgery. In the second postulate, it was also proved that genitalia was inconsequential through the case study of Joan, who despite having a constructed vagina and being injected with hormones ended up deciding to live as a male.
In conclusion, FGM and SRS are similar practices which involve involuntarily altering the genitalia of children or humans. It is a violation of sexual rights and a form of abuse. FGM is carried out in females and despite its high cultural significance in underdeveloped societies, it is seen to resort to infertility, pain syndromes, depression, and severe scaring. The same is true for SRS, which is carried out in developed societies in the banner that it is an ‘objective’ scientific procedure. Therefore, the international community should join hands in condemning the two practices through campaigns, legislations, or aggressive advertisements.
Works Cited
Diamond, Milton, Ph.D. & H. Keith Sigmundson, M.D. "Sex Reassignment at Birth: A Long Term Review and Clinical Implications." Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (March,1997).
Ehrenreich, Nancy, (with Mark Barr). "Intersex Surgery, Female Genital Cutting, and the Selective Condemnation of "Cultural Practices." Harvard Civil Rights- Civil Liberties Law Review 40 (2005): 71-140.
Kuhnle, Ursula & Wolfgang Krahl. "The Impact of Culture on Sex Assignment and Gender
Development in Intersex Patients." Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 45.1 (winter 2002): 85-103.
