In this September 26, 2008, photo, Reginald Martin protests the practice of daggerin', an aggressive quasi-sexual dance popularised in street dances. Martin maintains that daggerin' is degrading to women. - Contributed
Engaging in 'daggerin', the aggressive dance and sexual style which has stoked controversy in recent weeks, can cause severe damage to the genitals, a leading physician has said.
Dr Alverston Bailey, immediate past president of the Medical Association of Jamaica, said the high-energy action which defines daggerin' can generate great pain and discomfort.
"I totally discourage this activity because it's risky. Not only that, but sex should be about love and affection and daggerin' is an expression of war," Bailey told The Gleaner Thursday.
He said damage could include fracture to the penis and tears to the vagina.
"The force that is involved can result in a rupture of the vagina as well as breakage in the penis, which would bring about severe pain," Bailey said.
The rigorous movement could also irritate the ovaries and pelvic area of a woman, he said. He added that men could also sustain bruises.
Bailey is warning women to avoid the practice.
"Men use this as a drive to impose their will; it's not an impression of love, but of aggression.
"If men offer to dagger, decline, as it will only do harm," said Bailey, a former Gleaner columnist.
He provided further information regarding the risks. The violence involved, he said, could also result in back pain.
"Musculoskeletal strain of the back is a possibility in both sexes, as well and the lady's weight-bearing joints could be damaged," Bailey stated.
Referring to the widespread public exhibition of the erotic dance, Bailey said: "It's a sexual activity, which ought to be done in the private domain. It ought to be discouraged because it sends wrong signals to children."
In the meantime, Tracey-Ann Brown, physician, said persons should desist from daggerin' as it might lead to dysmenorrhoea in women.
Daggerin' is a phenomenon which germinated in Jamaica's dancehall circles and later found its way into mainstream media.
The Gleaner first broke the news that the Broadcast Commission had slapped a ban on the airing of sexually explicit songs - specifically taking aim at daggerin' - on radio, television and cable. The ban, which took effect on February 6, will also police soca and calypso, the commission said at a press conference on Monday.
Debate was stirred up weeks ago when Sunday Gleaner columnist Esther Tyson delivered a scathing attack on media managers who sanctioned X-rated lyrics, and labelled the hit song performed by Vybz Kartel and Spice as "filth". The controversy, exploding after the ban was announced, elicited wide-ranging comment in print and electronic media, including Kartel's own defence that the issue had been manufactured by social hypocrites.
nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com