Female Genital Mutilation Term Paper by Nicky

Female Genital Mutilation
A look at the custom of female genital mutilation in Somalia.
# 146984 | 1,551 words | 5 sources | APA | 2010 | US
Published on Feb 01, 2011 in Anthropology (African) , Anthropology (Cultural) , Women Studies (Women and Society)


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Description:

This paper discusses the highly controversial subject of female circumcision as practiced in some tribal and Islamic societies, with a focus on its continued existence in Somalia. The paper traces the religious and cultural roots of this tradition. Then, it focuses on the Somali practice, its tribal origins and the overall belief system that perpetuates this rite. Various dangers involved in female genital mutilation are described as well as its long term psychological effects. Studies are cited in which girls who have undergone circumcision are interviewed. The paper concludes with a call to ban this practice on a worldwide scale.

From the Paper:

"Circumcision as a custom has been present ever since the early ages when boys and girls had been circumcised for several reasons. Presumably, circumcision had been a religious practice and it has been thought that it also healed the body of some imaginary diseases. (Warsameh, Abdurrahman). The difference between the circumcision of girls and that of boys is that the two types are seen differently by people. Most people regard the circumcision of boys as a perfectly normal act. However, the female circumcision is regarded as a dreadful act performed by persons that are most probably insane. The reason for the difference between the two acts is the fact that the circumcision on the female genitalia has had a long term emotional impact on the individual. In contrast, men that have been circumcised at an early age do not show signs of distress in their adult lives."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Diriye, Mohamed. "Culture and Customs of Somalia". Greenwood Press, 2001.
  • Fourcroy, L. Jean. (1999). "Curbside Consultation". Retrieved March 2, 2009 from American Academy of Family Physicians Web site: http://www.aafp.org/afp/990800ap/curbside.html
  • Goodwin, Jo-Ann & Jones, David. "Barbarity Y in Our Midst". The Daily Mail (London, England), January 3, 2008.
  • Pecot, Zipporah. (2008). "Female Circumcision Is NOT Islamic". Retrieved March 2, 2009, from Conversant Life Web site: http://www.conversantlife.com/social-issues/female-circumcision-is-not-islamic
  • Warsameh, Abdurrahman. (2008)." Female circumcision still alive in Somalia". Retrieved March 2, 2009, from China View Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/21/content_8221611.htm

Cite this Term Paper:

APA Format

Female Genital Mutilation (2011, February 01) Retrieved December 05, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/female-genital-mutilation-146984/

MLA Format

"Female Genital Mutilation" 01 February 2011. Web. 05 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/female-genital-mutilation-146984/>

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