Horror in Sweden! All 30 girls in one school class have been genitally mutilated!

[Peikko 1,575]

What they are doing is monitoring how many girls are mutilated in this way (while out of the country) and trying to educate the parents, they are warning parents of the consequences and we can assume, safely that if there is no progress they will indeed incarcerate parents who allow this to be done. They are not sitting back and doing nothing, as you have suggested, what is the US doing about this problem, anything at all?

[Karee 4,190]

What they are doing is monitoring how many girls are mutilated in this way (while out of the country) and trying to educate the parents, they are warning parents of the consequences and we can assume, safely that if there is no progress they will indeed incarcerate parents who allow this to be done. They are not sitting back and doing nothing, as you have suggested, what is the US doing about this problem, anything at all?

Why should the U.S. be doing anything about it?

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

What they are doing is monitoring how many girls are mutilated in this way (while out of the country) and trying to educate the parents, they are warning parents of the consequences and we can assume, safely that if there is no progress they will indeed incarcerate parents who allow this to be done. They are not sitting back and doing nothing, as you have suggested, what is the US doing about this problem, anything at all?

It was banned in the US in 1997.. They check it when they can: for example 98% of Somali women at one small refugee clinic in Phoenix had it done. They report on it, pass out leaflets and training.. Then do nothing. There has been *one* prosecution in the US and that's it. There is an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 immigrant girls considered at risk of having it done within the US.

Amazing how it goes from "applaud" to "terrible" huh? All we have to do is change the country from the Sweden to the US and you see it differently.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Do you believe the mutilation occurred in Sweden? I highly doubt it. If it did not, I am not sure exactly what they could do about it. Perhaps you could provide an answer?

Good point, I'd like to know where the mutilation occurred. If it wasn't done in Sweden, what can they do about it? I don't think that the victims are criminals.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Air strikes?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Air strikes?

But using the word missile in conjunction with the female sex organ is not family friendly as it would lead to a childish exchange of jokes and immature users trying to see how far they could push things. All this even though missiles are used in air strikes in order to combat female genital mutilation. Welcome to VJ, 2014 edition and thank goodness your name isn't Richard, because nobody could call you by your nickname.

[Peikko 1,575]

It was banned in the US in 1997.. They check it when they can: for example 98% of Somali women at one small refugee clinic in Phoenix had it done. They report on it, pass out leaflets and training.. Then do nothing. There has been *one* prosecution in the US and that's it. There is an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 immigrant girls considered at risk of having it done within the US.

Amazing how it goes from "applaud" to "terrible" huh? All we have to do is change the country from the Sweden to the US and you see it differently.

Well, that's an interpretation of what I said to be sure. All I was pointing out was that Sweden were doing what they could under the circumstances and that's a good thing. If the US is running a similar program that is also a good thing, nothing more, nothing less.

Why should the U.S. be doing anything about it?

If girls are being mutilated on US soil, or have citizens that export their children to be mutilated outside of the country they should do as much as they can to stop it, that's why.

[Darnell 8,478]

Seems making sure Africans are not in Sweden is the sure-fire way to be certain of no more 'findings' of mutilation.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Well, that's an interpretation of what I said to be sure. All I was pointing out was that Sweden were doing what they could under the circumstances and that's a good thing. If the US is running a similar program that is also a good thing, nothing more, nothing less.

By "interpretation" if you mean repeating exactly what you said then yes your interpretation of my interpretation of what you said that made no sense in the first place was correct.

to be sure.

[Peikko 1,575]

Seems making sure Africans are not in Sweden is the sure-fire way to be certain of no more 'findings' of mutilation.

If your point is that it's not a Swedish cultural phenomenon, you would be correct, it's not.

By "interpretation" if you mean repeating exactly what you said then yes your interpretation of my interpretation of what you said that made no sense in the first place was correct.

to be sure.

No. You interpreted my asking about the issue in terms of what the US is doing as some kind of, Sweden is good, US is bad issue. That's not what I said, or meant

Edited June 21, 2014 by The Truth™

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

What they are doing is monitoring how many girls are mutilated in this way (while out of the country) and trying to educate the parents, they are warning parents of the consequences and we can assume, safely that if there is no progress they will indeed incarcerate parents who allow this to be done. They are not sitting back and doing nothing, as you have suggested, what is the US doing about this problem, anything at all?

Well, that's an interpretation of what I said to be sure. All I was pointing out was that Sweden were doing what they could under the circumstances and that's a good thing. If the US is running a similar program that is also a good thing, nothing more, nothing less.

If girls are being mutilated on US soil, or have citizens that export their children to be mutilated outside of the country they should do as much as they can to stop it, that's why.

If your point is that it's not a Swedish cultural phenomenon, you would be correct, it's not.

No. You interpreted my asking about the issue in terms of what the US is doing as some kind of, Sweden is good, US is bad issue. That's not what I said, or meant

Sounds to me as if you exactly meant that Sweden was doing something (technically nothing except reporting it), and the US is not... but what should the US do, since it is being reported in Sweden but happening in other unmentioned countries?

Let me answer my own question for you... nothing. It's not our problem unless it is happening here or under our watch in a foreign country.

[Karee 4,190]

Sounds to me as if you exactly meant that Sweden was doing something (technically nothing except reporting it), and the US is not... but what should the US do, since it is being reported in Sweden but happening in other unmentioned countries?

Let me answer my own question for you... nothing. It's not our problem unless it is happening here or under our watch in a foreign country.

Yeah the reason for my earlier question. I even went back an re-read the thread thinking I missed something. I guess to some, anything bad that happens in the world is the responsibility of the U.S. Although the U.S. does have a bad habit of sticking their nose in other govt.s business, so wouldn't surprise if they somehow got in involved in this issue so they can play the "holier than thou" card.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Yeah the reason for my earlier question. I even went back an re-read the thread thinking I missed something. I guess to some, anything bad that happens in the world is the responsibility of the U.S. Although the U.S. does have a bad habit of sticking their nose in other govt.s business, so wouldn't surprise if they somehow got in involved in this issue so they can play the "holier than thou" card.

Me also. Our mission should be simple. Secure our borders, educate our citizens, punish those who commit crime, protect our civil liberties, care for those who truly can't care for themselves, and stay the hell out of everybody's business.

[Peikko 1,575]

Me also. Our mission should be simple. Secure our borders, educate our citizens, punish those who commit crime, protect our civil liberties, care for those who truly can't care for themselves, and stay the hell out of everybody's business.

Well, the US could certainly try that. I would suspect that your rather naive view of global national interactions would get a rather rude awakening if it did, but, why not? Be warned however, if you do open Pandora's box, it can never be closed

Back to the real point of the thread. Awareness leads to change. By having these watch and educate programss in societies that do not practice female genital mutilation a process of education will, eventually lead to change. Progress, the joys of progress.

[Peikko 1,575]

Sounds to me as if you exactly meant that Sweden was doing something (technically nothing except reporting it), and the US is not... but what should the US do, since it is being reported in Sweden but happening in other unmentioned countries?

Let me answer my own question for you... nothing. It's not our problem unless it is happening here or under our watch in a foreign country.

If I wasn't clear (I thought I was, but no matter, some feel I was not) that was not my intention with my post. What I was suggesting was in fact the opposite. These programs are the best way to set about change. You can't force cultural change but you can educate and provide punitive action where punitive action is appropriate. All these programs are much more than 'nothing' and anyone who is truly interested in the subject beyond being able to point their fingers at 'barbaric muslims' and feel morally superior each time this story surfaces in the news; would know that.