Female Genital MutilationAccording to many Americans, female genital mutilation is one of the most hurtful practices ever practiced. During this operation, the female genitals are partially or entirely removed with the aim of inhibiting the woman's sexual sensations. In my opinion, there is no reason for this operation to take place. This usually happens before a woman reaches puberty (between four and eight years old). The female can suffer for days, weeks, or even months. This ritual is widely practiced in many parts of Africa and by migrants from African countries to other parts of the world (Karmaker 20-28). If Americans do research and read what people are saying about this operation, they can understand what these women and girls are going through. We can talk to people who have experienced this process first hand and get them to share their experiences and how life continued after surgery. The history of female genital mutilation dates back approximately 2000 years. It is also called female genital mutilation or female circumcision. Female genital mutilation originated in Egypt and later spread to East Africa. Female genital mutilation is practiced as a cultural ritual by many ethnic groups in 27 different countries in sub-Saharan and Northeast Africa, as well as by a few ethnic groups in Asia, the Middle East, and by immigrant communities elsewhere. This operation is usually done using a knife or razor. In 2013, most girls were cut before the age of five. There are many ways to go about this procedure. They can remove most or most of the clitoral hood and the same goes for the inner and outer lips. The World Health Organization group also has types I and II. Type I is divided into two different sections. Type I(a) is basically the rem...... middle of paper ...... conclusion I think we as Americans should listen to what people who have had this surgery and understand what they have experienced instead of judging them. I think if we sat down and listened, then we would understand the real reasons why this happened to many young girls at a very young age. We must also understand that this operation had meaning for certain men and women who have their little girls operated on at a very young age. Some of them wanted to show their honor and respect towards their groups and/or countries of origin. Work cited Peltzer, Karl and Supa Pengpid. “Female genital mutilation and domestic violence in Ivory Coast.” BMC Women's Health 14.1 (2014): 1-9. Academic research completed. Internet. April 23, 2014 “What is FGM? » Desert Flower Foundation RSS. Desert Flower Foundation, 2014. Web. April 17. 2014.