The first female circumcision recorded was performed in the 15th century, B.C. (McCarthy, 1996). Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also known as female circumcision is a traditional procedure that is usually performed on girls before they reach puberty. Usually it is performed from a few days after birth to puberty, but in some regions, the torture can be put off until just before marriage or the seventh month of pregnancy. (Samad, 1996)
             Female genital mutilation originated in Africa and remains today a mainly African cultural practice. It is a cultural practice and not a religious practice (Mens, 1996) and it is also considered necessary in order for a girl to be considered a complete woman. Many cultures support female circumcision because of ancient native beliefs. For example, some believe that bodies are bisexual at birth. To enter adulthood, girls must be relieved of their male part, the clitoris (Brownlee, 1994). Others believe that the clitoris contains poison or will eventually grow to the size of a man's penis (Toubia, 1995). The clitoris is believed to be dangerous and must be removed for health reasons. Some believe that it is a poisonous organ, which can cause a man to become sick or die if contacted by a man's penis. Others believe that men can become impotent by contacting a clitoris, or that a baby will be hydrocephalic (born with excess cranial fluid) if its head contacts the clitoris during birth. Some believe that the milk of the mother will become poisonous if her clitoris touches the baby during childbirth. Many older women feel that if they have an uncircumcised daughter, she will not be able to find a husband and will become a social outcast. Family honor, cleanliness, protection against spells, insurance of virginity and faithfulness to the husband, or simply terrorizing women out of sex are sometimes used as excuses for the practice of FGM. Men are finding out now that prostitutes are more fun if the wom...