An assumed NUS student posted a call for help on the popular NUS Whispers forum, sharing that due to his mother remarrying, his step father is insisting that he gets circumcised on religious grounds. Although the OP is against this forced circumcision, he is afraid that his refusal may lead to him being kicked out of the house. The student said that this was causing him tremendous stress especially in his first semester of school.
Well-wishers tried to help OP by giving advice on what he could possibly do to legally reject a forced circumcision but some raised concerns that this was under the jurisdiction of Muslim Marriages and not all secular rules applied. Although OP did not reveal his gender, the Editors have assumed it was a male as female circumcision is rarely heard of in Singapore. We apologise if this assumption was made in error.
"Report to the UHC, see if there is any professional help. You are near 21 already, or over, so as an adult, it's not possible for family to force anything on you."
"Have your opposition to his demand in writing (Whatsapp). Ensure his threat to kick you out in in writing too. Ready a go-bag in case you do get ejected and need to stay outside for a while, until someone tells him it is illegal for him to kick you, astepchild below age 21 out of the house.
Refer to Section 68 read with Section 70(1) of the Women's Charter on Statutes Online, or ask a law student or lawyer. Don't give in. If you allow him to dictate modification of your body and you obey, it won't stop there."
"if they're Muslims the marriage isn't under the women's charter"
Have you been in a similar situation? Do you have helpful advice for OP and all other distressed children?
