Essay - Female Circumcision Proposal: Varying Conceptions of Female Genital Cutting Female...

Female Circumcision

Proposal: Varying Conceptions of Female Genital Cutting

***** circumcision, common in many African nations, is commonly associated with many assumptions and stereotypes. Among these are the beliefs by many Westerners that female circumcision is forced on women, that it is carried out using primitive methods, and ***** it is horrible ***** barbaric in all cultures where ***** occurs (Dellenborg, 2004). Many ***** *****se assumpti*****s are based in fact and do accurately depict the methods some women have undergone ("Female genital mutilation," 2006). Some current research, however, suggest an alternate view of female circumcision. Some cultures are carrying ***** these practices in a m*****nner that defies ***** and reinforces cultural value, sometimes even increasing the roles and power of women in ***** community (Dellenborg, *****; Absharaf, 2001). Research*****g the context and the current conditions surrounding what is a cultural, symbolic, personal, ***** often political subject is necessary to put the conceptions of ***** circumcision in Africa into perspective.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and other organizations offering aid in Africa place their concerns around female circumcision, also c*****ed female ***** cutting, around the health and well being of ***** individuals they want to help ("Female genital mutilation," 2006). Their position is that female genital cutting poses a thre*****t ***** the psychological, social, ***** physical wellbeing of girls and women, as well as all infants born to women ***** cutting. Yet, how extensive ***** these r*****ks? How do they coincide with the implied social acceptance desired by those who commit themselves and their daughters to the tradition?

***** thousands of years girls in Africa have endured genital cutting, ***** under conditions that did put their lives and well being at risk. Many areas now have better facilities, access to medical equipment, and trained (or partially trained) ***** practitioners available. These advances have drastically affected both the choices ***** ***** outcomes for ***** in terms ***** ***** genital *****. Some women and girls may undergo cutting in a safer environment, *****t*****g them at a lower risk for infection, hemorrhage, and complic*****ions. Those who have undergone cutting may ***** have access to medical facilities should there be complications with an operation or problems with childbirth due ***** female genital cutting.

***** advances make female genital cutting ***** more difficult to fight against, especially since most supporters of the procedure are those ***** have undergone it ********** (von der Osten-Sacken & Uwer, 2007). Women who have ***** ***** and feel ***** it is ***** ***** their ***** ***** likely ***** use what they know of advancing medical availability in defense ***** what ***** an important tradition for them. As ***** many cultures, women (***** men) are likely to prescribe themselves to traditions and ***** of beauty and acceptability even un***** great risk or when ***** are not considered ideal by outside cultures. In many communities, ***** ***** have ***** undergone the procedure will be ***** ***** harsh social judg*****t. How *****es this socially impact girls in comparison