Anthropology and sexuality
Female Genital Mutilation in a field research
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a prevalent, deeply rooted traditional practice in Egypt. A recent study by
Mohammed GF, Hassan MM, and Eyada MM. (2013) explores why it is still today so widely accepted among women.
What are the motives behind the continuation of FGM/C in Egyptian community and evaluation of the sexual function in women with FGM/C? By a cross-sectional study, involved 2,106 sexually active female participants with FGM/C. Full history-taking and general examination to evaluate the type of FGM/C were conducted. Sexual function was assessed by using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Results show that tradition, cleanliness, and virginity were the most common motives empowering the continuation of FGM/C (100%), followed by men's wish, esthetic factors, marriage, and religion factors (45.2–100%). Type I FGM/C was the most common, followed by type II. There was only negative correlation between the type II FGM/C and sexual satisfaction. No statistically significant difference between type I and non-FGM/C was found. In conclusion, FGM/C remains high. A variety of socio-cultural myths, religious misbelievers, and hygienic and esthetic concerns were behind the FGM/C. Overall, a large proportion of the participants supported the continuation of FGM/C in spite of adverse effect and sexual dysfunction associated with FGM/C.
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a prevalent, deeply rooted traditional practice in Egypt. A recent study by
Mohammed GF, Hassan MM, and Eyada MM. (2013) explores why it is still today so widely accepted among women.
What are the motives behind the continuation of FGM/C in Egyptian community and evaluation of the sexual function in women with FGM/C? By a cross-sectional study, involved 2,106 sexually active female participants with FGM/C. Full history-taking and general examination to evaluate the type of FGM/C were conducted. Sexual function was assessed by using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Results show that tradition, cleanliness, and virginity were the most common motives empowering the continuation of FGM/C (100%), followed by men's wish, esthetic factors, marriage, and religion factors (45.2–100%). Type I FGM/C was the most common, followed by type II. There was only negative correlation between the type II FGM/C and sexual satisfaction. No statistically significant difference between type I and non-FGM/C was found. In conclusion, FGM/C remains high. A variety of socio-cultural myths, religious misbelievers, and hygienic and esthetic concerns were behind the FGM/C. Overall, a large proportion of the participants supported the continuation of FGM/C in spite of adverse effect and sexual dysfunction associated with FGM/C.
Tattooing, piercing and sexuality
Body modifications have been practiced for Centuries for a great variety of reasons. Lately tattoos and body piercing have become increasingly popular in Western societies. It has been suggested that several of these invasive body modifications could possibly act as signals in sexual selection and self-image. In some researches tattoed male characters were perceived as more dominant, female tattooed characters as less healthy, moreaover some female perceived tattooed men as more healthy. According to a different research, persons with a story of sexual abuse often differ with respect of motivation and consequences of body modifications, as they try to use body modifications to overcome certain experiences. Some high users of body modifications looks like feeling an addiction to continue body modification. In some Canadian studies, wome using tattoos and piercing are often protesting against the culturally established construction of female body image, and the most of women related tattoos to some aspects of the self. In adolsecents, according to several studies, tattooing and piercing is associated to peer substance use and high-risk behaviors, even if for many adolescents it is a signal of anticipatory socialization. Usually pierced boys results more diaviant than pierced girls. In adolescence and women piercing and tattooing is also an expression of uniqueness in appearance social domain.
Body modifications have been practiced for Centuries for a great variety of reasons. Lately tattoos and body piercing have become increasingly popular in Western societies. It has been suggested that several of these invasive body modifications could possibly act as signals in sexual selection and self-image. In some researches tattoed male characters were perceived as more dominant, female tattooed characters as less healthy, moreaover some female perceived tattooed men as more healthy. According to a different research, persons with a story of sexual abuse often differ with respect of motivation and consequences of body modifications, as they try to use body modifications to overcome certain experiences. Some high users of body modifications looks like feeling an addiction to continue body modification. In some Canadian studies, wome using tattoos and piercing are often protesting against the culturally established construction of female body image, and the most of women related tattoos to some aspects of the self. In adolsecents, according to several studies, tattooing and piercing is associated to peer substance use and high-risk behaviors, even if for many adolescents it is a signal of anticipatory socialization. Usually pierced boys results more diaviant than pierced girls. In adolescence and women piercing and tattooing is also an expression of uniqueness in appearance social domain.