I just got the most recent Jane magazine, and they have an article on women in the US and UK who are choosing to have their genitals mutilated. As in the labia and/or clitoris REMOVED. And the best part is that a lot of these women are having someone do it at home, like they're having a freaking bikini wax. Pain, the possibility of infection, no more orgasms... I am just gibbering at this article. Have some quotes:
Crazy-Ass Chick in England who has been dreaming about being circumcised (okay, a small rant quickly - I HATE that they consider this on par with circumcision. I realize I am not male and therefore I can't know what it's like to have or not have a foreskin, but you can't tell me that cutting out the entire clitoris is the same as skin only, especially as any study of physiology will tell you that the clitoris is basically the same as the penis in structure. Clitoridectomy is really the correct word here. Okay, rant done.) for 3 years: "I will be closer to who I want to be - a more compliant female." Okay, WHAT THE FUCK?!
Another freak decided to have her boyfriend circumcise her because "during intercourse, I want to be able to concentrate on my partner without being hindered by my own lust." O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O
Yet another woman has her husband remove her labia because they "protruded out further than any other girls'." Once hubby was down there cutting off bits, they decided they didn't like the way her clitoris looked either, so on a WHIM he cut that off, too. *speechless*
The article ends with this paragraph about second freak mentioned above:
After four intensely painful sessions, she seems to have gotten exactly what she wanted. Now, she says, having sex is "comparable to a French kiss." She continues, "I am convinced I will never again experience an orgasm. I am very happy with the results." *runs around screaming*
Just... just... AAAAAAARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only thing that's somewhat reassuring is that if the people doing this are somehow caught (and granted, if it's just a couple doing it, it's probably unlikely unless the woman ends up needing medical treatment), they will go to jail in this country (can't speak for UK laws). It is against the law to perform FGM in the US, or to ask to have it done unless there is a medical reason to do so and it's performed by a physician. However, what I think these people need even more than jail time is some serious psychological help.
And I'm done.