Female Genitalmutalation
Cultural practices and traditions, have led to debates and wars for centuries. Cultural differences have enabled us to learn more about the world and the people around us. In Alice Walkers The Secret of Joy, the practice of female genital mutilation, is being discussed as ethical and cultural relativism at its finest. The idea of female genital mutilation seems barbaric and wrong to western society. With the pain and health problems that are directly inflicted by the practice, there is a reason why people believe it is unethical.
The story of Alice walker can be perceived as an attack on ethical relativism. The practice of female genital mutilation has been going on for centuries. For people to understand the tradition of this practice without living through with in that culture is very hard. The tribal way of thinking may seem primitive, but it is a tradition that is seen as religious and ceremonial. The practice to them is normal and brings intrinsic value to them. The story shows a very horrible side o this practice. An opposing story could have been about a wife enjoying her life because of her traditional practice.
There is an argument to the attack of ethical relativism. These tribes are usually male run tribes. The procedure is done for male gratification. Knowing that his wife will be a virgin, and will stay faithful, because sex will not be pleasurable. Could it also be an egocentric religion that says women are loose and unclean if female genital mutilation is not performed?
By a religion saying this, it is sure that if you do not perform this practice you will be an outcast. Therefore you are put in a place as a lady in this society to have no choice but to perform these acts of female genital mutilation. Over periods of time, the women in the region are excepting with this tradition because it is all they know. Giving a choice and correctly educating them on the pros and cons, they may choose not to perform this surgery.
The theme of female genital mutilation, ethical relativism is a problematic moral theory. I believe there are so many negative components of female genital mutilation that are negative, that this practice should not be performed. I firmly do not believe these girls are giving an option to do this procedure, but are obligated under their ethical code to perform these rituals....