FGM in the United States

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/WorldNews/female-genital-cutting-affecting-young-girls-america/story?id=10859231

In the beginning of this project, I wasn’t sure how prevalent FGM (or FGC) was in the United States, I knew it was illegal (from basic Google searching), but I was not sure it was an issue. In this article it shows that this is still an issue, especially since girls are being sent back to their native country, where they will receive the operation under poor circumstances. US doctors are faced with a hard decision; either deny the surgery and accept the fact the girls will get “vacation-cutting,” or do the surgery illegally. One doctor, Dr. Doug Diekema, proposed that doctors do a “ritual nick” just to spill a little blood to satisfy the parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics at first supported this idea, but after great fuss they changed their mind. Human activists believe this is just enabling mutilation and a terrible tradition, and is not a good solution.

            As for my opinion, I agree with Dr. Diekema, if the girls are going to be cut anyway there should be a safer, cleaner, and better alternative to “vacation-cutting.” Also, this nick is better than getting Infibulations (completely sewing up the vagina). However, I am concerned about whether or not a family that would consider “vacation-cutting” would think “ritual-nicking” would be equivalent. But I do think this is a good start.

            Additionally, after reading this article I realized that in our American tradition we value religion over culture. Part of that is, I think, religion is connected to a higher power, some sort of God, and should be respected. Where culture is agreed upon to be completely man made, and therefore can be argued and changed more easily. Therefore, when we look at FGM opposed to male circumcision in Judaism, there is a difference, people could say but it’s religious, there is spirituality behind it. Personally, I do not see a difference between FGC’s “ritual-nicking” and male circumcision, both are traditional practices that take a little of the genitalia.

            Finally, when researching I am only finding opposition to FGM, which is frustrating because they all say something like everyone pressures me to do this, or the village would shun me, however, the “village” is not getting media attention in order to defend itself. Even if we believe the practice is “brutal,” “against human rights,” or “a crime against humanity,” I want to know why people continue this practice. 

"The Cut" Video

Jenny: This video is about what "the cut" is and shows a little bit about the rituals women goes through before "the cut."In many cultures a girl does not become a woman until she is cut.  In this video a woman who chose not to get the cut speaks of her experiences. A woman who does not get cut are looked down upon. An uncut women is thought to be unclean and untrustworthy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMCQk-TBHPA

"The Perfect Vagina"

Hana post: This is a bit long, but extremely interesting. Although the documenter has a biased view against female genital modification, she fairly represents the opposing side. Additionally, her conclusion is "love your vagina," however, it is still an option for woman which they are happy to receive. Although I would not opt for this surgery, and probably suggest some psychological therapy before under going the surgery, I don't see why women should not have the option. Additionally, there were men (all be it, not the best of men) that did care, and if it makes a woman more confident. We allow people to inject poison into their faces, get ride of skin above the eye, and remove skin from above the eye, so if it is connected, why not? However, this does not address the question with African immigrants coming to the United States and having their young daughters have FGM. These girls do not have a choice.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/perfect-vagina/

Also, warning, you will see a surgery and lots of vaginas, however, I encourage you to watch it.
If you have any questions or comments please post below!

Why not just Regulate?

This week we found an online debate source. I personally liked hearing both sides of argument. . This website has counterpoints for four major points to ban FGMs. The counterpoint I really liked is that by banning FGMs all together could cause women to go ahead with practicing FGM in secret and not seeking medical help from a medical professional due to the fact that FGMs are banned. Just by banning something doesn't mean a group of people will break tradition. This has been a prevalent thing throughout history, people continuing doing something that is banned because they believe it is right. The practice of FGM is part of certain cultures, so instead of banning it all together, why not try to regulate it?


I invite you to visit this website and see for yourself.
http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/moral-religious/house-would-ban-female-genital-mutilation

Video: Against FGM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kNMC65pNsg&feature=endscreen

Definitions:

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines "Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. [...]

Procedures

Female genital mutilation is classified into four major types.

• Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals) and, in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris).
• Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (the labia are "the lips" that surround the vagina).
• Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner, or outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris.
• Other: all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area."

Source:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/

"cultual relativity: a concept that cultural norms and values derive their meaning within a specific social context."

Source:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cultural+relativism

Hana: For this I want to find the limits of cultural relativism. In my first cultural anthropology class we discussed this possibility through FGM, but did not come to a definite answer (or at least one that I could completely support). When thinking about FGM I want to say oh yeah, we should totally let these people practice their beliefs and traditions, what right do we have to intrude? When looking at the actual procedures, like Clitoridectomy and Excision, do not sound overly harmful (when done with clean/proper procedures) with cultural relativism. However, I cannot support Infibulation, that is where I find a limit. Then, a new challenge arises, what do we do when these cultures are in the United States? Do they have a right to practice here? Do we (Americans) have a right to set cultural limits?

Jenny: My hopes out of this blog is to not only better educate myself on the topic of FMGs but also to educate others and raise awareness. I am going into this blog with an open mind and as time goes on with more research form a well-educated opinion. Just reading the different types of FGMs I can already say that the third type, infibulation, seems overly dangerous to the women to the point of cruelty. However, I still do not believe that we should ban FGMs completely and prevent people from practicing their beliefs.

Blog Intentions!

FGM (female genital modification/mutilation) is a custom observed in several African countries. This practice has several layers of cultural and traditional meanings that have great significance to the African tribes. However, FGM is a controversial issue because it can be harmful to the female’s health. In this project, we are going to explore the limits of cultural relativism further and discuss whether or not FGM should be legal in the United States.

            In the United States, FGM is illegal, and for the most part thought to be immoral, but this opinion does not consider the people’s tradition. We will research both perspectives. From the current judgment that FGM is cruel and a violation to human rights and should be illegal in the United States, to the view that FGM is part of a people’s culture and that we have customs that are accepted that are similar.

            As for our actions we are going to start a blog. Two times a week we will post videos, photographs, and other media on Wednesday and 1-2 paragraphs by Sundays. We will research on varying topics of FGM traditions in francophone African cultures, how prevalent it is in the United States, and other body modifications accepted in the United States. We will not be committed to one side or the other, as we research the topic our opinions may evolve. The purpose of the blog will be to inform people including us.  
           We are two Antioch College students, Jenny and Hana, we are taking a Culture Conflict class (from the Anthropology department). We would be happy to hear any comments or questions, and will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you for your time.