Research Paper on "Female Circumcision in the Modern Age"

Research Paper 5 pages (1450 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Moreover, clinicians have identified long-term health effects of female circumcision, and do condone female circumcision based on any practical or utilitarian need for the procedure. Yet, neither of these problems are acknowledged or addressed within the societies that believe in the practice. Moreover, feminist ethical perspective is neglected in the cultures that embrace female circumcision. Indeed, feminist ethical concerns arise when the female members of a society are abused by an institutionalized practice, under conditions of seemingly mutual consent of the women's families and themselves (Vaughn, 2013).

Thesis Statement

The issue of female circumcision, which consists of either partial or complete removal of genital parts, does not align with the concept of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is concept in normative ethical theory that establishes a standard of moral action on the basis of maximized utility, or the provision of benefits to people and society (Vaughn, 2013). Ethicists define utilitarianism variously with some of the most commonly considered outcomes to be economic well-being, avoidance of suffering, and attainment of happiness and pleasure (Vaughn, 2013). In epistemological theory structure, utilitarianism falls within the category of consequentialism: that is to say that the consequences of an action are of moral importance (Vaughn, 2013). A utilitarian viewpoint contrasts most emphatically with theories that extoll the virtue and ethics of compliance with rules.

The ethical concept of utilitarianism favors the ability of a person to be autonomous when deciding whether a proposed behavior or act directed toward her or him is desirable. Any notion that lies outside the parameters of what may be considered inviolate individual autonomy does not conform to the utilitarianism standard. By extension, the same parameters speak for the society and its benefits.

Religious and cultural aspects of a society may provide justification for female circumcision by arguing the procedure results in greater chastity, purity and a reduction in the forbidden practice of pre-marital intercourse. Regardless of whether one perceives this as a viable argument, much of this rationalization is not based on the reality imposed by the chronological ages of the girls who undergo circumcision. Since female circumcision often takes place while girls are still infants, not only is their individual autonomy violated, but any defense based on sexual activity is sorely irrelevant. One could argue that because the girls are infants, their parents and family members are free to make decisions that disregard their individual autonomy. However, social mores are designed to protect infants and children from adult behavior that threatens their well-being in anyway.

It is important to recognize that, unlike male circumcision, girls may be circumcised between the ages of four to 10 years, or circumcision may be postponed until just before the girls get married or even following the birth of their first child (Toubia, 1994). The significance of the practice female circumcision extends well beyond the immediate concerns about pain and disfigurement -- most female circumcision occurs with only local or no anesthesia, which means that the females may move or thrash, contributing to uncontrolled cutting. Indeed, as Toubia (1994) asserts, "female circumcision is a major contributor to childhood and maternal mortality and morbidity in communities with poor health services" (p.714). From a Western perspective, and particularly from a Western medical perspective, female circumcision absolutely threatens the well-being of the girls and women who are subjugated to such an inhumane and medically risky procedure. Female circumcision badly fails the test of utilitarianism when the theory is framed by individual autonomy.

One could ostensibly argue that the concept of utilitarianism may provide the satisfaction to members of a society since it enables them to follow their traditions. Critical theory and utilitarianism don't necessarily conflict. In an article that he wrote following a visit to Africa entitled Moral Laws of the Jungle, Iain King strives to humanize utilitarianism by bringing it down to a scale of one:

"The way I reconcile my interests with those of other people is not for all of us to pour everything we care about into a pot then see which of the combination of satisfied wants would generate the most happiness (benefit). If we did that, I could be completely outnumbered…. No, the way we reconcile interests is through empathy. Empathy is one-to-one, since we only imagine ourselves in the mind of one other person… READ MORE

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