Pharaonic circumcision under patriarchy and breast augmentation under phallocentric capitalism: similarities and differences.

In this article, the author discusses the similarities and differences between Pharaonic circumcision and reinfibulation and breast augmentation under systems of male dominance and female subordination. Despite the medical problems associated with each, women choose to be reinfibulated or have breast implants. There are systemic reasons associated with male dominance--in the case of reinfibulation, patriarchy and polygamy, and in the case of breast augmentation, institutional interests and phallocentrism--that impinge on women's 'choice' of these procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]