Female Circumcision

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer identifies what risks or benefits exist for African women who undergo female genital cutting in the twenty first century. A review of the history and key terminology establishes a base knowledge on the subject, followed by a discussion of the religious/cultural, social, physical, and political significance. This paper reviews existing literature on female genital cutting, with preference for essays and research conducted after the year 2000. Discussion identifies what perceived risks and benefits exist for women undergoing female genital cutting in the twenty first century according to existing research and accounts. The writer discusses whether current modern conditions make the procedure an acceptable risk to maintain cultural identity and also whether the cultural identity purportedly maintained by the tradition is itself a risk to the well being of girls in Africa. This paper makes conclusions and recommendations for additional research based on the relevance of the discussion.

Outline:
Cultural Identity Versus Barbaric Tradition
Introduction
Background
Literature Review
Conclusions

From the Paper:

" Research investigating these questions is valuable on many levels. It is easy to accept the existing knowledge and research concerning female genital cutting, as it is easy for those in Western cultures to be horrified by the practice. However, much of the existing research falls short by providing inadequate data or by falling back on assumptions and information collected a decade or more ago. In an age of globalization, a lot can change in a decade. Using only research done in the twenty-first century, it is possible to identify what issues are still factors in the debate over female genital cutting. By doing so it may be possible to identify what physical, psychological, and social risks and implications female genital cutting has on the current population of African girls undergoing the procedure. It is also possible to identify what social and psychological gains may exist for the same women. Can varying conceptions of female genital cutting be reconciled? Is female genital cutting a barbaric tradition or does it play a crucial role in the cultural identity of African women?"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abdelmagied, A., Salah, W., ElTahir, N., NurEldin, T., and Shareef, S. (2005). Perception and attitudes of religious groups towards female genital mutilation. Ahfad Journal, 22(2), pp. 53-63.
• Abusharaf, R.M. (2001). Virtuous cuts: Female genital circumcision in an African ontology. Differences, 12, pp. 112-140.
• Boddy, J. (2006). Barbaric custom and colonial science. Ahfad Journal, 23(2), pp. 81-106.
• Dellenborg, L. (2004). A reflection on the cultural meanings of female circumcision. In Signe Arnfred (Ed.), Re-thinking sexualities in Africa (pp. 79-96). Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell Tryckeri.
• Female genital mutilation and obstetric outcome: WHO collaborative prospective study in six African countries. (2006, June 3). The Lancet, 367(9525), pp. 1835-1841.

More papers on Female Circumcision:

• Research Proposal # 61895 : "Female Circumcision"
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• Research Proposal # 61972 : "Female Circumcision and Conflict Resolution"

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