Think about the term "justified". My concern is one of cultural values and assumptions. I have spent the last four years running a mental health program for American Indians. I am keenly aware of how often what we sincerely believe is "right" is simply our way of looking at it, and that someone else can see it very differently without being "savages" or human rights abusers. When did we stumble upon a psychological Rosetta Stone? I am frankly very uncomfortable with the concept of some "benevolent" organization bulldozing its way into another culture and teaching it "the right way" to do things. We've been down this road before, with tragic results. This is particularly true of such private matters as sexuality and child-rearing. Our models of child abuse are difficult to apply to other cultures, because they are loaded with culture-bound assumptions. Do I think cliterectomies are a good idea? No. Would I want my daughter to have one? No. Do I think they are medically useful? No. Let me say with the deepest sincerity that I have borne witness to the devastation done by the process you are currently describing. I don't see where we derive the moral authority to interfere with the child raising practices of another country, particularly given how poorly we've done raising our own. Sure we don't have cliterectomies, but how many foreign children are shooting each other in school? In my county alone Child Protective Services places 500 kids A MONTH in protective custody. That's the equivalent of one elementary school. Before you begin your mission, dare I suggest that your efforts are needed at home?
Justified to whom? You? Me? The US Government?
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