Female circumcisions, why are they done?

Question

Female circumcisions, why are they done?

Answer 1

Originally females were subject to this practice for several reasons: 1.It represented the removal of something male (clitoris) from the female. 2. It made the area more sensitive to stimulation. However, many cultures are slowly alleviating this practice.

Answer 2

It's done in countries such as India, Africa, and certain parts of Asia.

In some countries, masturbation is considered to be HORRIBLE.

They cut off the clitoris to prevent masturbation or sexual pleasure.

This is so ridiculous in my opinion.

It's ILLEGAL in the United States.

Answer 3

the EXACT same reasons male circumcision is done,

there is even a study saying it helps prevent HIV

http://www.ias-2005.org/planner/Abstract...

Answer 4

Religion mainly - they think sexual pleasure is wrong and that it is some kind of sacrifice so all attention is focused onto God.

Most people aren't aware that male circumcision became popular for the same reason in America:

Why Americans started circumcising (boys): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X09jPPeog...

Answer 5

They want the women to remain pure and virginal.  All it does is cause great pain to the child and for some the infection kills them.  It should be illegal in every tiny section of the world.  

Answer 6

They are done for a variety of reasons. These reasons include-

tradition

religion

cleanliness

health (some cultures believe the female genitals can cause harm to male partners or future babies)

to prevent teasing

to prevent, or stop, persecution (in some cultures uncircumcised women are not even spoken too, and a family that refuses to circumcise may literally starve to death because no one in the community will do business with them)

to make her suitable for marriage (in many communities, an uncircumcised girls has no hope of finding a husband)

to preserve her virginity (only in a small number of cases, in areas where infibulation is practiced)

As a transition into womanhood

Those are the most common reasons. Contrary to popular belief, in most communities it is NOT done to prevent her from feeling pleasure, and most circumcised women report that they feel sexual pleasure, and are satisfied with their s*x lives. It is also interesting that in communities that do this, it is the WOMEN who perpetrate the practice. The men ussually really don't care, but the women will literally kidnap an uncircumcised girl and circumcise her. This is unfortunately VERY common.

Most parents do not circumcise their daughters to be cruel or cause them pain- they do it because they care and in their culture, circumcised girls do better in life, and because they genuinely believe that circumcision is a positive thing.

This is an interesting link that may help you understand how cultures in which this is practiced view the procedure... http://www.boystoo.com/fgm&mgm.htm

Answer 7

Religious and cultural reasons. It is most prevalent in Africa and the Middle East, but is illegal in most developed countries.