Many tribes around the world perform ritual mutilations of the male and female sex organs. The original reason for these forms of bodily mutilations may be lost in the past but traditions compels a lot of cultures to perpetuate the act. When act is done for tradition's sake, that is usually the cue for me to cast a critical eye on that act. In the distant past, male genital mutilation or circumcision used to serve as the rite of passage into manhood and as such circumcision was performed in the late teens.

The notion of rites of passages is fast disappearing in urban centres and so is the teen-circumcisions. However, the need to remove the male foreskin is not going the same way. Instead this is now predominant done of days-old children. Essentially, these operations are cosmetic surgeries performed on child for no medical reasons whatsoever, without the consent of the children. If these operations are useful to the recipient, shouldn't be the prerogative of such to decide whether to have the operation or not?

Female circumcision has and even more objectionable motive - to deprive the lady of her right of sexual pleasure. This practice comes form the cultural milieu where women are seen as the possession of the male and an object for the male to use for his sexual gratification. This is as reprehensible as the male genital mutilation.

Whilst the majority of people and some international organisations condemn female circumcision, male genital mutilation is just not seen in the same light as female circumcision. I want to advance the view that both practices are equally objectionable.

Facial scarifications is something that has puzzled me for some time. Does anyone know the reason for this practice?

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-5071.0.html

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-142682.0.html

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-59913.480.html

three topics on scarification

[QUOTE] I want to advance the view that both practices are equally objectionable.

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Your view is the ethically correct one.

Unfortunately, many on nairaland believe that the only desirable penis is a cut and scarred one. Circumcised men perpetuate circumcision because if they didn't, they might have to come to grips with the fact they were violated without their consent.