In the United States, the last recorded clitoridectomy for…
“In the United States, the last recorded clitoridectomy for curing masturbation was performed in 1948--on a five year old girl.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A 1948 surgery attempted to stop masturbation by removing a girl's clitoris, reflecting harmful medical myths about sexuality.
In simple terms: A harmful surgery was done to stop masturbation.
Recognize and reject pseudoscientific medical practices.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- medical education
- policy reform
- public health advocacy
- sexual education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How did societal attitudes enable this surgery?
- What safeguards prevent similar abuses today?
Such procedures were based on ignorance, not evidence, and caused lasting trauma.