Pros And Cons Of Female Genital Mutilation

Midterm

1. In addition to “female genital mutilation,” name two other terms applied to this practice and explore the meanings conveyed by each of the three. Which term do you find most appropriate to use and why? Drawing from readings and lecture, should FGC be accepted as a cultural practice or should it be treated as a violation of human rights (defend your answer)? Female genital mutilation is also known as female genital cutting or infibulation. Though they all refer to the same African practice, the meanings conveyed by each of the three vary to extensive degrees. For each of these words, I will explore the pros and cons attached to the word that influence the way that we experience, and have opinions toward the practice, and ultimately determine which is the most appropriate. When I think of mutilation, I

According to lecture, the word ‘mutilation’ is effective in emphasizing the gravity of the act and is easily associated with human rights violations. In Desert Flower, we read about how she watches her sister run away as she is having this performed on her. She remembers her screams, and the way blood ran down her legs, yet still, she wanted it more than anything because she was inferior without it--boys would not accept her, and wanted her sister instead because having this done to you would mean that you are a woman, and are clean, and more beautiful because of it. ‘Cutting’ seems to be merely a more mild form of the word ‘mutilation.’ In our culture, we hear this word, and automatically connect it with self harm. Her story embodies the complications of these words. Like the word ‘mutilation,’ or ‘cutting,’ the physical implications are obvious, and are exemplified through Dirie’s stories of both her, and her sister having their genitals cut in the dead of night, and having to sit with their legs tied for weeks, dreading the unbearable pain of urination. But while