While pregnant with my third child, I read THE CIRCUMCISION DILEMMA. The author was Jewish and set out to document the need for circumcision; by the time that she finished her research, she concluded that only religious and special medical situations should be cause for circumcision. Part of the book is a fascinating section on the history of circumcision, both male and female. The latter is practiced frequently in the mideast, and at least one argument is the same as ours for males: cleanliness and and hygiene. Female circumcision usually includes the clitoris, and may also be used to guarantee the virginity (the woman is sewn up tight with only a very small opening for menstrual flow) of the woman, as well as her fidelity to her husband. I found the information quite shocking as well as enlightening, and I share the "hygiene" argument with my infant care classes to help them gain a different perspective on our own attitudes and beliefs regarding the male organ. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about it. Several anecdotes are shared, including the "rape-like" experience for some little girls, who may be dragged out of bed in the middle of the night and brutally circumcised by a group of adults while her mother stands by. -Lisa ****************************************************************************** Lisa A. Marasco, IBCLC / [log in to unmask] International Board Certified Lactation Consultant / [log in to unmask] ******************************************************************************