FGM Ouline - Soc 001

Intro:


 

How can sociology help us understand why cultures practice Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)? A Symbolic Interactionist would raise the question of what the symbol for what a woman is in these cultures. While a Functionalist would wonder what the manifest function, or how FGM intends to help some part of the system. Followers of Karl Marx’s conflict theory, would seek to see who has the authority or influence and how far that goes when it comes to the intentional alteration of the female genital organs for non-medical purposes. Through my research, I found the symbolic interactional approach best defines why these cultures practice all four major types of FGM. To go more in depth it is important that you are made aware of what the four major types are to better understand the mutilating nature of this practice, and terminology used throughout this report. Clitoridectomy is commonly defined as Type I. It is the removal, of all or some of the clitoris. Excision, or Type II, is when all or some of the clitoris, labia minora, and often times the labia majora is also removed. Type III, or as it is often referred to as infibulation, is when the vaginal opening is narrowed by creating a vaginal seal. The vaginal seal is made when the labia minora or labia majora are cut and repositioned through stitching. This type can occur with or without the removal of the clitoris. When this type of mutilation occurs another process known as deinfibulation is almost always required for intercourse, or childbirth. Last but certainly not least, Type IV is any other procedures or alterations made to the female genitals for non-medical procedures. This type includes piercing, pricking, scraping, and cauterizing. FGM is considered to be a reaction to the crisis of encroaching western ideology. When asked why these women chose to participate in FGM, the answer always boils down to virginity, chastity, marriageability, purity, and fidelity. Defining all of these symbols will give us a better view into the lives of these practicing cultures to understand why FGM started, why it has grown, and how we can put an end to it.


 

Body Paragraph #1 : Symbolic Interactionist Theory

 

Topic Sentence: The Symbolic Interactional lens provided me with what I felt was the most accurate theoretical approach on the topic. Symbols are ever-changing depending on the subject, and the social location of said subject. This lens gives us the symbols these particular cultures share about the world around them, which in turn, help us understand how they view and communicate with one another. In a way it gives us a chance to see their perspective on their cultural ideals.

 

Terms:

  1. Symbols

  2. Women+Men, Marriage, Family vs. Western Ideals

  3. purity, virginity, sexually weak

  4. religion, government, United Nations, Sexual Control, Gender inequality, human rights, folklore culture

 

Examples: From an outside perspective we would find this practice disturbing, and obviously sexist, but to truly understand we need to dive deeper. We need to see how the people who support FGM define their world, and their place in it. Once we identify the key symbols that give meaning to FGM we will know what changes need to be implemented to end FGM.

 

Body Paragraph #2: Functionalism

Topic Sentence: Functionalist view society as a whole unit composed of parts that work together in order to properly function. This sociological lens can offer insight as to why these cultures believe FGM can help women, when evidence proves otherwise.

 

Terms:

1.Manifest Function (Form of sexual repression towards women, see it as a way to prevent premarital sex or socially unacceptable sexual behaviors to help purity among society)

2.Latent Function (Has helped feminists from countries where this is a prevailing issue come together to create legislation, education, etc. to end FGM)

3.Functions(presumed functions: social convention, right of passage into womanhood, cleanliness or better health for women)

4.Dysfunctions: higher death rates, increase in infections and spread of disease, severe pain, urinary issues, menstrual issues, vaginal problems, scar tissue, sexual issues, psychological problems, shock, and death.

 

Examples: Looking into what the practitioners of FGM find to be the manifest function, or intended purpose, can help us to alter and transform their mindset. Through education we can use first hand experience and hard hitting evidence to show that there are no health benefits. In fact continued use of FGM would lead to higher death rates among women and children due to all of the associated complications that follow the procedure.


 

Body Paragraph # 3: Conflict Theory

 

Topic Sentence: Karl Marx concluded that the root of all social problems lies in class conflict. We humans are a breed of species with copious greed; in the fight for scarce resources. To accurately apply this theory to FGM we need to identify who those conflicting classes are, what the scarce resources are, and how FGM plays a role in benefiting the Bourgeoisie, or the benefactors of the practitioners of FGM.


 

Terms:

1.Bourgeoisie(beneficiaries of FGM; Men who maintain their dominance in these societies where social inequality between the sexes is deeply-rooted, midwives {social status, economic status}, religious leaders)

2.Proletariat(exploited women and children who are mutilated by FGM, harms associated with FGM )

3. Class structures in practicing societies

4.False Conscience: the term used by sociologist and marxists to describe “ the way in which material, ideological, and institutional processes in capitalist society mislead members of the proletariat and other class actors.” (Mothers, Mother In-Laws, Midwives, Religious leaders)


 

Examples: Education will play a key role in the removal of FGM from practicing cultures. It is pertinent for all classes to understand how FGM will negatively impact all classes in the long run. All classes must surpass the concepts of the false conscience to see that all seek to benefit from seeing FGM put to an end.


 

Conclusion: The practice of FGM will continue if humanity, men and women, don’t come together to educate cultures on the brutal nature of FGM. How it’s long lasting torment can devastate the lives of many because of unrealistic ideals and societal norms. The large impact and influence of this practice has left a lengthy list of victims from around the globe. Together, victims, all peoples socially immersed in the folklore of the trend, and human rights activists; must fuel their desire to end FGM by educating the masses on the horror of what women endure by this practice. Opening their eyes to the basic human rights of women and children will give them a new perspective and shed light on the dark ways of what we hope these cultures leave in the past. To grow, shape, and redefine how they view women; to show that true beauty and purity lies in how we love one another, with equality in all forms of life.