SexKitten ,
The subject of routine alteration of the genitals for cosmetic purposes is one close to my heart , after reading a book about a Somalian lady who was circumcised at the age of 6 (It made me so angry!). But I also began to question Western practices (particularly with regard to male ciricumcision) .In Ireland it is extremely unusual for males to be circumcised , one of my best friends is a Nigerian medical student who was circumcised without his consent as a child. He refuses to take showers in the college gym as a result.
I agree with you , taking a knife to your bits (male or female) is daft , but at least these individuals choose to do it. I am aware however that it is quite common for female porn stars to have work done on this area , the body's ability to recover from anything is finite , ask any woman who has had children if ya don't believe me.
I was aware that in Kenya it was popular for women to use powders to dry out the lining of the vagina to give it a tight virginal feel (yeah , and destroy the healthy bacteria there as well) but I had never heard of this practice , sounds really really bad.