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Interpreting female genital cutting: moving beyond the impasse
1Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room 7142, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. lleonard@jhsph.edu
Annual Review of Sex Research
|May 16, 2001
Summary
Female genital cutting (FGC) is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. New research among the Sara in Chad reveals diverse practices and motivations, challenging existing explanations and suggesting new approaches to understanding FGC.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Female genital cutting (FGC) is a global practice, with highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Interpretations of FGC often fall into absolutist or relativist viewpoints, creating an impasse in scholarly and public discourse.
- Existing explanatory frameworks for FGC, such as religion, tradition, and patriarchy, are frequently cited.
Observation:
- Fieldwork among the Sara ethnic group in southern Chad reveals recent adoption of FGC by some subgroups.
- Young girls are leading the adoption of FGC, facing opposition from parents, elders, and leaders.
- Participants' stated reasons for undergoing FGC do not align with common explanatory concepts like religion or tradition.
Findings:
- The study highlights significant diversity in FGC ceremonies and motivations, which is underrepresented in current literature.
- Commonly accepted explanations for FGC, including religion, tradition, and patriarchy, are not supported by the Sara's narratives.
- The Sara case demonstrates that FGC adoption can be driven by factors other than established cultural norms.
Implications:
- Findings challenge the monolithic understanding of FGC and its drivers.
- New theoretical and methodological approaches are needed to study FGC practices effectively.
- Understanding diverse motivations is crucial for developing culturally sensitive interventions and moving beyond the current academic impasse.