Female "circumcision" in Africa: Culture, Controversy, and ChangeThough the issue of female genital cutting, or circumcision, has become a nexus for debates on cultural relativism, human rights, patriarchal oppression, racism, and Western imperialism, the literature has been separated by diverse fields of study. In contrast, this volume brings together contributors from anthropology, public health, political science, demography, history, and epidemiology to critically examine current debates and initiatives, and to explore the role that scholars can and should or should not play in approaching the issue. Case studies from nine African countries where female genital cutting (FGC) is traditionally and currently performed evaluate the impact of international efforts to eliminate the practice. A focus on local reactions to external involvement underscores that the myriad programs fashioned to effect changes in FGC ritual and procedure must be initiated and supported by indigenous communities if they are to be lasting and effective. -- From product description. |
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Female "circumcision" in Africa: culture, controversy, and change
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictIn their excellent introduction to this collection of essays, the editors (an assistant professor and a graduate student, both from the University of Washington's anthropology department) write that ... Read full review
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With the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), i have always been bitter. I could not possibly understand the legitimate reasons for the practice. And I feel that the health risks and psychological trauma outweigh the reason. why? I had questions. Why can’t the government eradicate such heinous practice? Why are women putting their daughters in painful procedures? These Procedures are not only detrimental to a woman’s health, but it also affects her physiologically. Although I still opposed the practice, but many of my questions have been answered. Great Read!
Contents
Is Female Circumcision a Maladaptive Cultural Pattern? | 41 |
To Marry and Bear Children? The Demographic Consequences | 55 |
Female Circumcision Among the Yoruba of Southwestern | 73 |
Views of Nigerian | 95 |
The Debate over Medicalization | 109 |
Lessons from | 129 |
Responses from Sudanese Feminists | 151 |
Numu Women and the Campaign | 193 |
The Beginning of the | 253 |
An InsiderOutsider Reflects | 283 |
| 313 | |
The Contributors | 331 |
About the Book 349 | |
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Female "circumcision" in Africa: Culture, Controversy, and Change Bettina Shell-Duncan No preview available - 2000 |
Common terms and phrases
African areas argues asked associated authority become believe birth campaigns cause ceremony Chapter clitoris complications consequences considered context continue cultural cumcision daughters debate described discussion effects efforts ethnic example excision experience explained fact female circumcision female genital cutting fertility Gambia girls groups human important individuals infibulation initiation interview involved issue Kono less lives male Mandinga marriage married means Meru mothers Muslim mutilation noted numu operation organizations pain percent performed physical political population position practice present problem procedure question reasons recent region relations religious reported reproductive respondents result risks ritual role sexual sion social society status Sudan Sudanese suggest survey term tion traditional uncircumcised University urban village volume Western woman women young
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Female "circumcision" in Africa: Culture, Controversy, and Change Applied Anthropology Series Directions in applied anthropology, ISSN 2691-6975 Directions in applied anthropology: adaptations and innovations Female "circumcision" in Africa: Culture, Controversy, and Change, Bettina Shell-Duncan |
| Editors | Bettina Shell-Duncan, Ylva Hernlund |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2000 |
| ISBN | 1555879950, 9781555879952 |
| Length | 349 pages |
| Subjects | › › Social Science / Customs & Traditions Social Science / Ethnic Studies / African American Studies |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |