Abuse Quote by Warren Farrell
“When we commit violence against an infant girl, we call it child abuse; when we commit violence against an infant boy, we call it circumcision.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Social Commentary, 1995
Points out double standards in labeling male and female infant procedures.
In simple terms: Male and female infant procedures are labeled differently.
Key Takeaway
Question societal double standards.
Themes
gender
ethics
double standards
Mood
critical
provocative
thought‑provoking
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- parenting forums
- medical ethics panels
Key Concepts
social critique
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we label similar acts differently?
- How can we promote equal terminology?
A Different Perspective
Cultural resistance to change.
![“As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the…” quote by Cyprian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ae0/cyprian-16127_baptism_as-to-what-pertains-to-the-case-of-infan_763451.jpg)
![“Were we to still be circumcising the hood of the female clitoris, we would not have difficulty considering this a continuation of our tradition to keep girls sexually repressed. America's reflexive continuation of [male] circumcision-without-research reflects the continuation of our tradition to…” quote by Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/749/warren-farrell-1187_america_were-we-to-still-be-circumcising-the-hoo_255459.jpg)
![“In Stage I, divorces were not allowed, so men's [sexual] affairs did not put women's economic security in jeopardy; in Stage II, affairs could lead to divorce, so men's affairs did place women's economic security in jeopardy. We did not want political leaders who would be role models for behavior…” quote by Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ff0/warren-farrell-1187_affair_in-stage-i-divorces-were-not-allowed-so_94551.jpg)
