Genital mutilation
Genital modification is a term used to describe changes or body modifications made to the genitals, usually for non-medical reasons.
Genital mutilation is a term used to describe changes or body mutilations which destroy some or all of the functions of the genitalia, especially non-consensual mutilations done without medical diagnosis.
The use of these terms is controversial, with some people considering any form of genital modification or mutilation to be mutilation, and others wishing not to express any kind of opinion as to the desirability or otherwise of genital modifications and mutilations.
The term "genital modification" is generally preferred by those who elect to have their genitals modified.
The term "genital mutilation" is generally preferred by those who have had their genitals mutilated against their wishes.
Types of genital modifications and mutilations
Removal of tissue
Alteration of tissue
Addition to tissue
Genital mutilation
Issues surrounding alleged "genital mutilation" became prominent in the English-speaking world in the latter quarter of the 20th century, when opponents of female circumcision, often called female genital mutilation (FGM) made Westerners aware of the practice in African and Muslim countries. In most cases, female circumcision is a social practice, not a religious one. Opposition to any form of genital mutilations, whether female, male, intersexed, or other; has also grown during the same time, especially in countries without a tradition of those types of procedures.
In most cases alleged ritual "genital mutilation" is performed involuntarily on infants or children. Sometimes alleged "genital mutilation" is used as punishment for rape, adultery or other socially forbidden sexual practices. Some societies have historically engaged in castration or penectomy, although this is rare in the modern world. In some cases, people elect to have parts of their genitals cut off or impaled with spikes or rings. See BDSM and body piercing.
Some consider sex reassignment surgery to be a form of genital mutilation if performed without the consent of the individual concerned, for example if performed on a child.
Genital modification/mutilation of children
The routine modification and mutilation of infants' genitals is an old practice that many societies have engaged in during various periods in the past. Some societies have historically engaged in castration or penectomy, although this is rare in most parts of the modern world.
Female circumcision, often called "female genital mutilation (FGM)", is prevalent in many African and Muslim countries, although in most cases it is a social practice, not a religious one. In the last quarter of the 20th century, opponents of female circumcision made Westerners aware of the extent of the practice. Western opposition to female circumcision and most other forms of genital modification performed on infants is fairly universal, although male circumcision remains controversial, as it is still practiced to a considerable extent in the United States and in Jewish communities in other modern Western countries. Opposition to routine circumcision of infant males, which is part of intactivism, which also seek protection of females, intersexed and others, has grown during this time, especially in countries that no longer or never did routinely practice it, although it remains a minority position in the United States, where more than half of infant males are circumcised. The World Health Organization, a United Nations agency, campaigns against female circumcision but not against male circumcision.
Some consider sex reassignment surgery to be a form of genital mutilation if performed without the consent of the individual concerned, for example if performed on a child, such as in the case of children born intersexed.
Some argue that "mutilation" is the best term to describe the procedures because the procedures are performed without consent; however, dictionary definitions do not hold up consent as a criterion for separating mutilation from non-mutilation.
Elective genital modification
In some cases, people elect to have their genitals pierced, tattooed or otherwise altered for aesthetic or other reasons.
Such modifications run the gamut from single to multiple piercings, small decorative marks to complete tattooing, to urethral relocation, and, in males, subincision or even complete bisection.
