|
被禁止的性行為與性暴力
|
|
性暴力:
性器官毀損:
起源
1
|
|
 |
|
古埃及的包皮環切（繪畫，西元前3000年）
|
|
Male circumcision
in ancient Egypt
(Painting, 3rd
millennium BC)
|
|
|
性器官毀損似乎於西元前3000年起源於埃及。無論如何，我們知道古希伯萊人從埃及人那裏養成了包皮環切的習慣，並且在他們出埃及之後，使這種習慣成了其民族的標誌。但是，一些研究者並不認同特定地區的起源說，而相信這種習俗在許多不同地區各自獨立興起說。因而，包皮環切的起源的含義及其目的至今仍是一個未解之謎。它也許早就是一種宗教祭祀活動，或男子漢的一種測試，即測試男子忍受疼痛能力的一種考驗，或者它也許早就是設計用作對女孩初潮或第一次破膜的模仿。
至於女性性器官毀損，其起源的細節甚至更為含混。不過，有證據顯示它於西元前1000年在埃及統治階級的婦女中施行。這種手術可能被視為提高她們魔力的途徑之一，最終這種習俗在這個地區被其他人群所採納，並且隨著阿拉伯人征服北非，擴展到了世界其它地區。在近代，非洲移民就已經把這種習俗帶到了美國和歐洲，在那裏，他們要求醫生實施這種手術，因而讓那裏的醫生處於兩難境地：醫學道德規範不允許他們實施這樣手術，但是，如果他們拒絕實施，這種毀損手術將仍由一些外行實施。出於這種目的的需要，那些父母甚至可能會把他們的幼女送到祖籍國家去“度假”。 |
|
Prohibited Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence |
|
Sexual Violence: Mutilation of Female Sex Organs: Origin
1 |
It seems that the mutilation of sex organs originated in Egypt in the third
millennium BC. In any case, we know that the ancient Hebrews adopted the practice of male circumcision from the Egyptians and, after their exodus from Egypt, made it a special mark of their tribe. However, some researchers do not believe in a particular place of origin, but think that the custom arose independently in many different regions. Thus,
the original meaning and purpose of male circumcision remain unknown. It may have been a religious sacrifice, or a test of virility, i.e. the ability to endure pain, or it may have been designed as a male parallel to a girl’s first menstruation or to the breaking of her hymen.
As for the mutilation of female sex organs, the details of its origin are even less clear. However, there is evidence that it was practiced on women of the Egyptian ruling class in the first
millennium BC. The operation may have been seen as a way of enhancing their magic powers. In any case, eventually the custom was adopted by other peoples in the region, and with the Arab conquest of Northern Africa it spread to other parts of the world. In recent times, African immigrants have brought it with them to the US and Europe where they ask doctors to perform the operation, thus presenting them with a dilemma: Their medical ethics do not allow them to proceed, but if they refuse, the mutilation will nevertheless be performed by some layperson. For this purpose, the parents may even send their little daughter on a “vacation” in their country of origin. |
