From: Steve.Hayes@p5.f22.n7101.z5.fidonet.org (Steve Hayes)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african
Subject: Children's rights
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 05:16:00 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 5:7101/22.5 - Novell User Group, Pretoria RSA

On <08 Nov 1992 18:00> Jim Rosenfield said to All :

 JR>hmmmmmm, I see what you mean.  seen in comparison to abortion as
 JR>birth control, clipping the pleasure button and sewing up young girls
 JR>doesn't seem quite so horrible as it did when i posted my
 JR>first outaged note about this unfamiliar practice, a few topics ago.
 JR>from my perspective, and for the society where i live, abortion as
 JR>well as "assistance in dying" seem to make sense to me. and the idea
 JR>of subjecting children to the surgery as i have heard it
 JR>described sounds horrible, incomprehensible.

In various parts of the world people of different cultures practise different 
forms of mutilation. In some societies, holes are made in ear lobes for things 
to be inserted or to dangle from. Some people tattoo different parts of the 
body. Some change the shape of the lips or of the neck, or make scars in 
patterns. Some change the shape of the genitals. Some practise subincision, 
which has been described as a form of vagina envy. Some practise circumcision 
or clitoridectomy. 

The way in which these mutilations are perceived also varies greatly. In some 
cases they are regarded as decorative, and are practised for personal vanity. 
They are often self-inflicted. 

In some cultures, however, they mark a transition or a change of status. 
Circumcision, for example, can be associated with becoming an adult, with 
becomeing a member of a group, or even with becoming a human being. In some 
cultures an uncircumcised person might be regarded as less than human. 

It might therefore be possible to assert "children's rights" in such a way as 
to deprive children (in the eyes of their culture) of the right to become 
adults. 

It is true that with easy global communications it is much easier for cultures 
to influence each other. But it is also a question of power relations. Those 
who control the communications can make sure that their culture is more 
influential than those of other people.

I pointed out in an earlier posting that in the USA the dominant 
culture regards children as disposable items. Perhaps because it is a "throw-
away" society. Unwanted items are thrown in the garbage. You have disposable 
plates, towels, cigarette lighters, pens and children. The idea that parents 
(well, mothers) should be allowed to dispose of their children is promoted as 
a RIGHT. But I also pointed out that this depends on the cultural perception 
of when a child becomes a human being. In the USA the dominant culture sees 
this as occurring about 6 months after conception. But in other cultures it is 
seen as occurring only after circumcision or some similar ceremony. 

Where do children's rights begin and end? Who draws the line? Who decides? Is 
it the dominant power? Is it the country that has set itself up as the 
guardian of the new world order? Is it the country that has more modems than 
the rest of the world put together? People who practise female circumcision 
are usually the ones who don't have access to such means of communication. 
They have other people talk about them, but don't get much chance to talk for 
themselves.

But it might be interesting to do some research on male circumcision (which is 
far more widespread). 

In cultures where it is not (as among Jews or Xhosas) regarded as an 
initiation rite into the tribe, clan or nation, who makes the decision about 
whether children should be circumcised? 

Has any anthropologist done any research into this quaint and barbarous custom 
in the USA, for example? Has anyone gone around with a questionnaire and asked 
parents why they had their sons circumcised? Who made the decision? And those 
who did not - did they think of it? Was it suggested to them? And if so, why 
did they reject it?

Keep well

Steve



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