Why Thai women cut off their husbands' penises

[TheMightyFavog]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/nov/19/improbable-research-thai-women-cut-off-penis/print

About once per decade, the medical profession takes a careful look back at Thailand's plethora of penile amputations. The first great reckoning appeared in a 1983 issue of the American Journal of Surgery. Surgical Management of an Epidemic of Penile Amputations in Siam, by Kasian Bhanganada and four fellow physicians at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, introduces the subject: "It became fashionable in the decade after 1970 for the humiliated Thai wife to wait until her [philandering] husband fell asleep so that she could quickly sever his penis with a kitchen knife. A traditional Thai home is elevated on pilings and the windows are open to allow for ventilation. The area under the house is the home of the family pigs, chickens, and ducks. Thus, it is quite usual that an amputated penis is tossed out of an open window, where it may be captured by a duck."

The report explains, for readers in other countries: "The Thai saying, 'I better get home or the ducks will have something to eat,' is therefore a common joke and immediately understood at all levels of society".

The bulk of the paper reports how the doctors and their colleagues learned, over the course of attempting 18 reimplantations, how to improve the necessary surgical techniques. Unambiguous photographs supplement the text.

"Interestingly", the physicians remark at the very end, "none of our patients filed a criminal complaint against their attackers."

[sarge43]

1. Because it's there? n/t

[HappyMe]

2. Wrong forum?

[Scuba]

3. "Unambiguous photographs"? No, I think I'll pass.

[HopeHoops]

4. Got the munchies?

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. "none of our patients filed a criminal complaint against their attackers."

Interesting indeed.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. THIS may explain it:

Way down in the ariticle:
three things had happened during the week prior to dismemberment: (1) a financial crisis;
(2) "ingestion of drugs or alcohol by the husband immediately prior to the event;
and (3) public humiliation of the wife owing to the presence of a second 'wife' or concubine".

[mythology]

9. That would no more explain this

than removing the clitoris from a woman who cheats.

Assault is assault no matter the so-called reason.

[Ken Burch]

11. They probably don't want to pose for the evidence photos.

Didn't they do a show on this on "Law & Order:Thai Victims Unit"?

[Spike89]

7. Barbaric, but not really explained

Sure, the women were almost certainly provoked, but spousal violence is only one possible response to humiliation and violence can take take so many forms besides sexual mutilation. Maybe I'm culturally blind to this, but it seems a massive over reaction to be treated so casually in the culture. Are there lots of instances of violence against females in that society? Are there especially tough laws or customs regarding legal options (divorce?). Is it simply "the thing to do?" in cases of infidelity?

I don't get it.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. talk about your --

Asian Wood Carvers

[TheMightyFavog]

13. *groannnnnnn*

[Odin2005]

14. Morning wood carvers!

[Ken Burch]

10. ...and THAT's how we get Chicken McNuggets!!!!!...

(sorry).

[Major Nikon]

12. Parts is parts