ychological disturbances that Freud never thought of (One Hundred Years Ago). Other sources say that due to droughts and there not being enough water for everyone, clictorictectomies were used as a way to control the population (Female Genital Mutilation). Women, who have been mutilated in this manner, would find it very difficult and painful not only to have sex, but also to deliver a child. In addition, it was also believed that an uncircumcised woman was nasty and not suitable for marriage (Cheakalos and Heyn). Even today the same feelings toward women who are not circumcised are present. An uncircumcised woman is often the outcast of the village. She may not be invited to ceremonies and quite often will never get married. Thus the consequences of either having the operation done or not puts a tremendous psychological strain on these young girls.According to Althaus, a woman being circumcised is a necessity to the religious beliefs, society, and culture of the people in these African countries. He also said that it was a tradition that was used to prepare young girls for womanhood, a rite of passage. Many members of the Muslim faith have considered FGM to be a requirement of their faith; however, Muslim theologians have constantly rebutted this belief. Moreover, this tradition is rarely seen to be practiced in the area where the Muslim faith first begun. Nonetheless, fifty percent of men surveyed in the Sudan said that female genitalia mutilation was a requirement for the Muslim faith (Rushwan). There are other reasons for FGM that have nothing to do with religion but instead are based on aesthetics. Some view the vagina as ugly and perform FGM to remove the unattractive parts of the females natural structure (Gregory). Some cultures believe that if a womans genitals are not circumcised, they will begin to grow. It is believed that the female clitoris will grow long enough to touch her thighs. Thus, when it is time fo...
