Are You Shocked At The Numbers Of F.g.m.

[ladybirder]

in the UK in 2014? And this report says it is the tip of the iceberg.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2795522/almost-2-000-women-six-months-treated-female-genital-mutilation-english-hospitals-official-figures-show.html

[naomi24]

Mikey, //I know of no such occasion when the mothers of these poor girls have been told by "them" that they can continue to follow their culture in mutilating children. No one to my knowledge, in authority here in Britain, has told them that, so please don't turn this into yet another attempt to discredit immigrants.//

No one has said these people may continue to mutilate their children, but the continuing practice of FGM has been largely ignored which is why, to date, there have been no prosecutions. We have developed a culture of political correctness where anyone who criticises immigrants for any reason is branded a 'racist' or a 'bigot' and it’s statements like "don't turn this into yet another attempt to discredit immigrants" that are responsible because in silencing the critic, freedom and security for the vulnerable is denied . This practice is not solely due to pressure women are under, or to misogynist men. The women who impose this upon their daughters are just as determined as the men that the practice should continue. It is cultural, and much of it has its foundation in religion - hence eradication of this barbaric custom will not be a simple matter.

[New Judge]

Yes, quite right naomi and sorry Mikey but I completely disagree.

FGM is almost the sole preserve of many African and, to a lesser degree, Asian cultures. It is widespread in sub-Saharan and north east Africa as well as parts of Asia. It is not and never has been part of Western European culture. How many western women do you hear of being the victims of FGM? Of course it is far more prevalent abroad - there are far more Africans and Asians abroad. But what happens abroad does not particularly trouble me. This question is about the practices in the UK and frankly that is all that concerns me.

FGM is widely supported by both men and women in those foreign countries. Women see it as a mark of honour that they have been mutilated. Of course misogyny is at the heart of the problem along with men exercising control over their womenfolk. That is their culture and is embedded among the people from those areas. People migrating to the UK bring that culture with them. They do not leave it on the dockside when they set off for Lampedusa. The prevalence of FGM in the UK is a direct result of those cultures being imported to the UK and them being continued here. It is the sole responsibility of immigrants and their descendants. No, nobody "in authority" has told the migrants to continue their practices. But nobody "in authority" has been particularly keen to get a grip on the problem and stamp it out either, hence no prosecutions.

This problem has everything to do with multiculturalism. As I have said, it has never been part of European culture and if there was only one culture prevalent in the UK the practice of FGM would not be considered and we would not be discussing it here. Furthermore, it is not a minor problem. The Guardian article suggests that 1,700 women have been treated by the NHS in six months and of course that's only the numbers treated by the NHS. It probably is "the tip of the iceberg" when considering how many women have suffered this barbarism. Suggesting that the blame on lies other than with immigrants is ridiculous.

[jourdain2]

Haven't read all posts (will do) but I in answer to OP I am not surprised. When you come across groups of girls crying together in school corridors you put 2 & 2 together - it was either that or fathers 'breaking them in' before marriage. Sorry if this offends, an asian, muslim girl told me this and I see no reason to disbelieve her - she was very upset at the time.

[ladybirder]

I've had to toss a coin for BA between Naomi and NJ, NJ won. Wish I could pick two as there was nothing between them. All right thinking people should be agreeing with what you both write.
Ho very awful jourdain.