One Cultural Practice to Another: Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder

The difference between genital mutilation, cosmetic surgery and cultural practice is merely the terminology applied. Western societies preach their desire to save the third world from their inhumane cultural practices of genital mutilation but perhaps introspection might be more appropriate after comparing it to the increasingly popular cosmetic surgery of the Western world.  Plastic surgery, including that of the genitals, such as labioplasty, vaginal tightening, clitoral unhooding, and ‘G’-spot collagen injections are becoming increasingly common; advertised as “beautifying the vulva and increasing sexual responsiveness” (Tiefer, 467), these surgeries and more grossed an overwhelming 500 million in 2003 (plasticsurgerystatistics.com). Similarly infibulation in even the least invasive forms arises from the belief that the clitoris is the base of sexual desire while the vagina is the source of life (Wilson, 502). The practice is designed to make young women eligible for marriage and in so doing maintaining their purity.  Plastic surgery may be considered a ‘choice’ while infibulation a ritual however the societal context remains, in both instances, the primary source for genital mutilation. Whether for the gratification of men and sexually stifled females or for achievement of beauty as defined by media, the female is consequently both the target and victim of men and the weapon is self-esteem.  Male dominated societies in which the self-esteem of men is heightened by lowering that of women have resulted in centuries of unethical and inhumane medical practices worldwide.

“The legend is that plastic surgery developed following the First World War in order to repair and restore faces damaged in trench warfare, but in fact ‘beauty doctors’ practicing ‘featural surgery’ have been known since the 19th century” (Tiefer, 471). Society has been since ingraining, into the minds of young males and females alike, the notion of ‘perfection’ as ‘normal’. Magazines, television programs, Hollywood and pornography similarly depict the naturally elusive female figures curve less, except for their breasts, and ageless; it is these images that uproot the socially stable individual and enthrall them into the Botox beauties upon which society’s eyes become so easily fixated. “Perfecting one’s body exploded both ideologically and commercially over the 20th century as health, fitness, and looks increasingly determined self-esteem, social status, and potential jobs and intimate relationships” (Tiefer, 467). Being different from another no longer attractive, experience no longer an asset, and even the very natural growth of hair only repulsive. The surgeons argued that the superfluous number of surgeries was related to “skimpy bikinis, thong underwear, Brazilian waxing, laser hair removal, oral sex, provocative fashion advertising (Tiefer, 467); practices undertaken for the sexual gratification of men. There are several risk associated with everyday cosmetic surgeries such as decreased sensitivity of the nipples, painful swelling, and hardening of the breasts. Furthermore a rupture of the implant may result in a leak beneath the skin making the woman susceptible to infection, pain, and shock. The implants themselves are not only slated as being a potential cause for cancer but can also conceal lumps within the breast during mammograms (Wilson, 500). Still woman around the world are having performed any number of surgeries designed to enhance the female figure to achieve the media stated beauty. The Photoshop beauties of magazines warp the minds of young ladies worldwide into believing that perfection is not that which is natural to them but a surgically altered version of themselves.

Although varying in nature the practice of genital mutilation, in subordination to men, is not new to Africa. Several African nations have ritually practiced infibulation for centuries; more recently their cultural relevance and dangerous nature have come into question. Suma, the least invasive form of infibulation, involves solely the removal of the clitoris while the Pharaonic infibulation, aptly named from its Pharaoh origins, involves the surgical removal of the clitoris, labia majora and minora and suturing of remaining skin together (Wilson, 496). There are many complication associated with a procedure such as this including, but not limited to infection, septicemia, urinary retention, dysmenorrhea and hemorrhage, shock and death. Further to the above-mentioned side effects is the possibility for chronic pelvic inflammation leading to infertility; psychologically damaging for women of the African nations as their ‘purpose’ is the reproduction of men (Wilson, 498). Still for many women in Guinea, this ritual is the most important day of their life and if not performed are considered to be like a man and ineligible for marriage (Wilson, 501). Why then is this dangerous practice uncommon to Western society, so esteemed in Africa? Three hundred million (rough estimate) of the estimated one point six billion Islam followers are located in Africa (Hassan, 2) and for those practicing Islam, the study of the Sunnah would lead its followers to believe that circumcision is, “law for men and a preservation of honor for women” (Soloman, 90). In male dominated societies, where female subordination is the norm, the affirmation of a women’s virginity can easily be associated with the low self-esteem of men. If the woman is a virgin she is most certainly not able to compare her partner and his genitalia to that of another; the lack of pleasure resultant from infibulation ensures the continued fidelity of a woman to her man.

The suppression of female sexuality by males is evident in everyday life; it is this suppression that inevitably leads to feelings of inadequacy by women.  On a daily basis police can be seen arresting women selling sexual favors, if you will. Although not the perfect image of female sexuality we’d like to conjure up, still a viable income for women. While prostitution is illegal restaurants like Hooters, also known for exploiting the sexuality of women, are legally booming industries worldwide. Why is one legal over the other? Is it because one creates revenue that the government, the patriarch, can collect on?  There may actually be two reason for this, money and power. Historically and scientifically speaking the power women have had over men has always been their sexual prowess to which men cannot compare.  Early understanding of female behavior resembled that of primates who would mate up to 50 times per day “exhausting every available male partner” (Baumeister, 169). This sort of mating pattern, the “…Insatiable female sexuality would not strike men as a desirable opportunity but rather represent a threat to them, possibly because it reminds them of the greater physical limitations on male than female sexuality” (Baumeister, 169).  Power in today’s society is money or overall wealth, so the ability of women to be able to innately exploit men’s wealth would put women in the power seat. Males being unwilling to relinquish this power have had to develop more subtle manners by which to flex their muscle. Simply put they have created a social reverence toward male promiscuity by the application of ‘endearing’ labels such as Pimp, Player, and the elusive Ladies Man. The fine line that distinguishes the male pimp from the female whore further poses questions as to why females would uphold such barbarous traditions.

The suppression of female sexuality precedes the time of Islam and can been seen during the time of the Pharaohs. Taking on newer and modern forms, Western civilization created a legal and profitable manner in which to do so: it’s called Cosmetic Surgery. No matter the reason whether it is to boost men’s confidence, to guarantee fidelity, to gain social status as a beauty or to increase feelings of adequacy the question remains: Why do women judge their beauty through the eyes another? Patriarchy has been brainwashing the general public for years through various medium, most substantially the media, and it would seem that women across the globe may no longer have the vision of true beauty; instead women see themselves only through the eyes of men and that leaves them feeling inadequate and undesirable. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but he who controls them is ultimately who defines that beauty.