Female Circumcision

As the wounds heal, scar tissue joins the labia and covers the urethra, and most of the vaginal orifice, leaving an opening that may be as small as a matchstick for the passage of urine and menstrual blood. The scar is only reopened on the girls wedding night by her husband, then sewn shut once again to ensure her validity.
             Female circumcision, the partial or total cutting away of the external female genitalia, has been practiced for centuries in parts of Africa, generally as a way of preparing young girls for womanhood and marriage. Often performed without anesthetic, under septic conditions by "a family member or local circumciser using knives, razor blades, or other tools that may not be sterilized before use", female circumcision can cause death or permanent health problems as well as severe pain. ( Female Genital Mutilation). Because the person performing the circumcision often has little or no knowledge of human anatomy the risk of death are greatly increased. Despite these grave risks, its practitioners look on it as a major part of their culture and ethnic identity, and some perceive it as a religious obligation.
             By cutting and removing the tissues around the vagina, female circumcision removes the ability to feel any sexual pleasure for the woman circumcised. The procedure is often used for social and cultural control of a woman's sexuality. There are four main reasons for performing female circumcision. Reason one being "female circumcision meets a religious requirement, 2) preserves virginity and family honor, and prevents immorality, 3) helps to maintain cleanliness, 4) preserves group identity and furthers marriage goals, including greater sexual pleasure for men. (Kopelman 174). The circumcision itself is considered a religious requirement. By performing the circumcision on your own daughter and ensuring her virginity is believed to keep your family honor.