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.