Tuesday, June 10, 2008

First, contraception. Then abortion. Then...virginity?

As Europe’s Muslim population grows, many young Muslim women find themselves caught between the freedoms that European society affords and the deep-rooted traditions of their parents’ and grandparents’ generations.

Gynecologists report that in the past few years, more Muslim women are asking for certificates of virginity to provide proof to others. That in turn has created a demand among cosmetic surgeons for hymen replacements, which, if done properly, they say, will not be detected and will produce tell-tale vaginal bleeding on the wedding night. The service is widely advertised on the Internet; medical tourism packages are available to countries like Tunisia where it is less expensive.

Fake virginity. What will they think of next?

Some feminists, lawyers and doctors warned that the court’s acceptance of the centrality of virginity in marriage will encourage more French women from Arab and African Muslim backgrounds to have their hymens restored. But there is much debate about whether the procedure is an act of liberation or repression.

Or stupidity?

I'm not downplaying the plight of Muslim women who are, figuratively as well as literally, screwed if their loss of virginity is found out.

But nowhere in the article do I see mention of a logical, non-failing, let's-think-beyond-the-moment solution for their younger sisters.

You libs keep telling yourselves that abstinence is a foolish notion.

The French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians opposes the procedure on moral, cultural and health grounds. The French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians opposes the procedure on moral, cultural and health grounds.

I'd oppose it on all these grounds and add sanity to the list.

“We had a revolution in France to win equality; we had a sexual revolution in 1968 when women fought for contraception and abortion,” said Dr. Jacques Lansac, the group’s leader. “Attaching so much importance to the hymen is regression, submission to the intolerance of the past.”

Dr. Lansac, I believe, is sadly missing the point.

And correct me if I'm wrong...but is the good doctor calling the Nation of Islam regressive and intolerant?

This? From France???

Source: The New York Times