by Lynette Alice

Created on: June 18, 2010   Last Updated: June 26, 2010

Genital mutilation is alive and thriving in America. When most people hear about genital mutilation they assume it has something to do with an underdeveloped nation or that perhaps it is some extreme form of body modification that is on the upswing among the youth population. In reality, genital mutilation in America, FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) specifically is a detestable practice being carried out by valorous doctors that are preying on parental fear. This is not something happening in back alley clinics, it is occurring at major hospitals and research facilities like Cornell University at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

For a person that is unfamiliar with the issue at hand, in layman's terms clitoroplasty is being performed which is billed as enhancing genital aesthetics via plastic surgery. While about 1 in 2000 births worldwide result in a child being born whom has ambiguous genitalia, what is and is not normal is an extreme shade of gray. In general, a clitoroplasty procedure would be recommended to parents - although unnecessary - when a child is identified as having a swollen clitoris - not micropenis.

A physician, namely someone like Dr. Dix P. Poppas, contends that a female born with an enlarged clitoris needs to have the clitoris reduced in size in order to grow into a well functioning sexual adult. He contends that girls born with an enlarged clitoris (Clitormegaly) endure a life which is uncomfortable and inconvenient for them due to this condition which can lead to psychosocially retarded development. There are no actual studies to prove this, but none to disprove it either as there have been no studies on either side of the equation.

What constitutes a clitoris that is too big? There is no answer to that. In the case of Dr. Poppas it basically boils down to whatever he says is too big. Often new parents who obsess over every detail of their child’s physical appearance worry if the clitoris appears even slightly larger than normal, and Dr. Poppas is more than willing to point out how awful their life could potentially be if uncorrected.

Aside from no clinical proof that an enlarged clitoris could cause psychosocial or sexual development issues, the procedure itself could. Some people find the procedure horrifying in fact. What is done is the shaft of the clitoris is pared down to reduce the overall size while the tip of the clitoris is maintained with the nerves attached. In theory, the clitoris should maintain sensation. How do they

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