We all know that around the world people do things differently and that that can make life uncomfortable. However some "current events" from NZ, a developed country, have brought the whole circumcision thing up again a catholic friend has her newborn son circumcised. He gets a life threatening infection resulting in week in hospital. The mother is still recovering from a caesar and his twin sister needs care. a Muslim family have a happy, nurtured 10 year old girl who is doing well at school. As a family they've integrated successfully into small town life, very different from their old home in Southern Africa. She dies after a massive sexual attack - allegedly during circumcision. women's magazines promote a new trend in genital reconstruction - incase your privates don't look like the girls in the glossy magazines. In one instance the process is legal and while not encouraged you can get it done by medical practitioners. When there are problems the hospitals support you. In the other the process is outlawed and therefore you can't ask for help when it all goes wrong. And finally we have a trend in cosmetic surgery because every part of us has to be perfect. How on earth are other societies balancing historical and cultural requirements with modern fashions? balancing health and safety with practices that seem contrary to both health and safety?
I guess people don't change easily. It results from religious belief and even lack of values. Whether one wants to get the nose reshaped or get a better education makes a lot of difference.