FMG--it's not just for Africans anymore

[Burning Petard]

Female Genital Mutilation. Just where do you draw the line? Some time in the last week or so I read an online newspaper story about "labia minora reduction" as a growing cosmetic surgery among young American females. The article took it as a natural extension of a trend that goes back to shaping the female pubic hair, then removing it, and now removing the interior labia for a 'clamshell look.'

I read too much stuff online. I am not nearly as skilled as RayThom at finding stuff. I could not find the story again. But I did find this:

“It was a factor in my previous breakup,” said Shannon. “I’m self conscious. I don’t really want to have sex – I try to avoid it, so it’s kind of a big strain on a relationship.”
Dr. Jennifer Berman, a Beverly Hills urologist who also appeared on the show, recommended labia reduction surgery to correct Shannon’s “anatomical abnormality.”
“It’s not just a cosmetic thing,” she said. “This is something that you need done, for sure.”
Dr. Grant Stevens, founder of Marina Plastic Surgery in Marina del Rey, Calif., performed the procedure. He said many women come in wanting labia reduction, but few actually need it.
“If I hear the word pain or chafing or tenderness, it’s an entirely different consult than if I get the ‘I’m embarrassed, I think it looks funny.’ But ‘I’m embarrassed’ doesn’t automatically disqualify somebody.”

From an ABC tv commentary on a recent 'Doctors' show called "gross surgery" There are lots of experts out there ready to do it on anyone who wants it and has the cash (or credit card) upfront.

But this does seem to me to be a trend. I am an old white man with old middle-class white man hang-ups. This seems to me to be one more milestone in a path to infantilization of women as a sex object. Perhaps it is similar thing for men who now shave their entire body.

And by the way, I am 'clipped' but it happened when I was abut three years old and I do remember it.

Just one more rant from a nearly dead white guy about the good old days.

snailgate

[rubato]

My wife had a mother and daughter come in to her office to ask about genital cosmetic surgery for the daughter. Sheesh.

She discouraged the idea and pointed out that its not covered under their health plan.


yrs,
rubato

[RayThom]

Burning Petard: But this does seem to me to be a trend. I am an old white man with old middle-class white man hang-ups. This seems to me to be one more milestone in a path to infantilization of women as a sex object. Perhaps it is similar thing for men who now shave their entire body.
And by the way, I am 'clipped' but it happened when I was abut three years old and I do remember it.
Just one more rant from a nearly dead white guy about the good old days.

sg, judging by your subject line "FMG--it's not just for Africans anymore" I think you are confusing clitoral removal/mutilation with labia reshaping. Two absolutely different procedures.

The former is a misogynistic "surgical" procedure to deny any feeling of sexual pleasure to the woman. Sexual pleasure is widely held to be only for the "man" in many African nations. The latter procedure is legitimate plastic surgery done for cosmetic reasons and does not effect a woman's physical sexual sensitivity. However, with many woman feeling better with the surgery it no doubt heighten the woman's mental pleasure. (Just like circumcision for a male.)

To get a better idea of what it's about check out the image below:
https://www.azulplasticsurgery.com/acp/ ... ty-021.jpg
Many women view "before" as undesirable excess skin whereas "after" is more appealing by sexual standards. And those women who can afford the procedure often opt for it. As a guy, I can certainly appreciate the difference and, if you are into cunnilingus, it makes it much more pleasurable for your mate.

So you know, when I was married my wife preferred that my genital region be more closely groomed. Once I got used to the technique I've been "manscaping" ever since. And my personal experience says that it is often more appreciated than not. To each his own, right?

sg, I take umbrage with your comment, "just one more rant from a nearly dead white guy..." Sure, we all have less days ahead than those we left behind but you're only 'nearly dead' if that's truly how you feel. Longevity is in my family so I'm not about to ruin our fine tradition. I'm thinking I still have 30 years of relatively good health left in me. Anyway, don't resign yourself to the other side of the sod unless that's what you truly want.

[Crackpot]

That's all well and good but what is FMG?

[Lord Jim]

That's all well and good but what is FMG?

It's Female Genital Mutilation for dyslexics...

[Burning Petard]

FMG- GFM--MFG --GM Well in the Philly area radio land, GM is good music with Bob Perkins, a long time jazz radio personality.

But as Lord Jim said, I was trying to refer to Female Genital Mutilation. Blame it on some dyslexia, some Aspergers, some hasty posting without careful proof reading. And yes Ray, I know it is generally used to describe removal of the clitoris as a cultural declaration of 'proper' womanhood. "We" outside that culture think it is horrible.

But, for me, genital modification is just genital mutilation that the local culture accepts. So I ask, where do you draw the line? The current trend line in much of America seems to me to point directly to infantilization. "Prepubescent" seems now to be the preferred look which to me indicates a preference for sex with children.

snailgate

[Sue U]

Well in the Philly area radio land, GM is good music with Bob Perkins, a long time jazz radio personality.

[digression] Best radio show/host ever. [/digression]

[RayThom]

... But, for me, genital modification is just genital mutilation that the local culture accepts. So I ask, where do you draw the line? The current trend line in much of America seems to me to point directly to infantilization. "Prepubescent" seems now to be the preferred look which to me indicates a preference for sex with children...

Well then, in that case you'll just have to wait and see how many people who chose genital modification or "mutilation" also get arrested for pedophilia. I'm betting the percentage is very, very, low if not impossible to calculate. Speaking for myself, I find these issues merely about self-esteem and good grooming and has absolutely nothing to do with perversion or seeking sex with children.

I often feel that men who grow beards and/or shave their heads bald seems to point directly to geriatricization. That would indicate to me they are trolling to have sex with unsuspecting old women.

[Burning Petard]

Now Ray you know I have been wearing an unshaved chin for more than 35 years. I guess you can reach your own judgement about what that means.
I would invite further speculation about my son, who has been shaving his head and chin for about the last 20 years, but two years ago started cultivating a cookie duster.

snailgate

[TPFKA@W]

Yep, definitely makes it look underage.

[RayThom]

Yep, definitely makes it look underage.

Eww! There's a mental image that will probably only vanish with knitting needles through the ears and Clorox flush.

[TPFKA@W]

Yep, definitely makes it look underage.

Eww! There's a mental image that will probably only vanish with knitting needles through the ears and Clorox flush.

Yet here you are on the computer when you clearly have productive things to do.

[BoSoxGal]

I can see where that could be very, very uncomfortable.

Other than getting much furrier over time, clamshell is still what I've got but then I didn't give birth and have also been celibate the great majority of my life. Nothing preadolescent about me though?

This surgery is nothing whatsoever like FGM as previously pointed out, especially because it appears to lead to increased sexual pleasure for the woman, not annihilation of sexual pleasure.

[TPFKA@W]

It would not be worth the risk of infection. No vanity surgery is.

[BoSoxGal]

What about the pain part? Labia that hang outside like that would rub against clothing and be a possible source of infection anyway, right?

If it was just vanity I'd totally agree with you - I don't understand folks who subject themselves to cosmetic procedures - often perpetrated by ill-qualified physicians - out of vanity.

But then I'm happy being a middle-aged celibate frump, so what do I really know?

[TPFKA@W]

a possible source of infection anyway, right?

Not if you wash it often and properly. Not that I'm fishing for information....

[Big RR]

No, I'm not going to say it...

[Joe Guy]

I may push the limits here sometimes but in this case that's not twat I want to do.

[RayThom]

That reminds me -- I'm having an ahi tuna steak for dinner tonight. TGIF

[RayThom]

Gender Reassignment Video: SPOILER ALERT: Although it's animation it's still hard to watch. (((OUCH!!!)))
https://www.facebook.com/MicMedia/video ... 043980551/