Female Genital Cutting : Cultural Conflict in the Global Community

The practice of female genital cutting, sometimes referred to as female circumcision and common in a number of African states, has attracted increasing attention in recent years and mobilized strong international opposition. While it typically produces a visceral response of horror and revulsion in Westerners, the practice is widely regarded in some cultures as essential for proper development into womanhood and is defended by women who have themselves experienced it and who have had the procedure performed on their own daughters. It is also perceived in many Islamic communities as religiously prescribed, although most Islamic clerics do not condone the practice. In this study, sociologist Elizabeth Boyle examines this controversial issue from the perspectives of the international system, governments, and individuals. Drawing on previous scholarship, records of international organizations, demographic surveys, and the popular media, Boyle examines how the issue is perceived and acted upon at international, national, and individual levels. Grounding her work in the sociological theory of neoinstitutionalism, Boyle describes how the choices made by governments and individual women are influenced by the often conflicting principles of individual human rights and sovereign autonomy. She concludes that while globalization may exacerbate such conflicts, it can ultimately lead to social change. Annotation The practice of female genital cutting, sometimes referred to as female circumcision and common in a number of African states, has attracted increasing attention in recent years and mobilized strong international opposition. While it typically produces a visceral response of horror and revulsion in Westerners, the practice is widely regarded in some cultures as essential for proper development into womanhood and is defended by women who have themselves experienced it and who have had the procedure performed on their own daughters. It is also perceived in many Islamic communities as religiously prescribed, although most Islamic clerics do not condone the practice. In this study, sociologist Elizabeth Boyle examines this controversial issue from the perspectives of the international system, governments, and individuals. Drawing on previous scholarship, records of international organizations, demographic surveys, and the popular media, Boyle examines how the issue is perceived and acted upon at international, national, and individual levels. Grounding her work in the sociological theory of neoinstitutionalism, Boyle describes how the choices made by governments and individual women are influenced by the often conflicting principles of individual human rights and sovereign autonomy. She concludes that while globalization may exacerbate such conflicts, it can ultimately lead to social change In This Study, Sociologist Elizabeth Heger Boyle Examines This Controversial Issue From The Perspectives Of The International System, Governments, And Individuals. Drawing On Previous Scholarship, Records Of International Organizations, Demographic Surveys, And The Popular Media, Boyle Examines How The Issue Is Perceived And Acted Upon At International, National, And Individual Levels. Grounding Her Work In The Sociological Theory Of Neoinstitutionalism, Boyle Describes How The Choices Made By Governments And Individual Women Are Influenced By The Often Conflicting Principles Of Individual Human Rights And Sovereign Autonomy. She Concludes That, While Globalization May Exacerbate Such Conflicts, It Can Ultimately Lead To Social Change.--jacket. Understanding Female Genital Cutting -- The Evolution Of Debates Over Female Genital Cutting -- International Mobilization -- The Diffusion Of National Policies Against Female Genital Cutting -- Variation In The Meanings Of National Policies -- Individual Response : A Clash Of Alternative Meaning Systems -- Individual Frame Resonance : Explanations For Opposing Female Genital Cutting. Elizabeth Heger Boyle. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [165]-180) And Index. "In this study, sociologist Elizabeth Heger Boyle examines this controversial issue from the perspectives of the international system, governments, and individuals. Drawing on previous scholarship, records of international organizations, demographic surveys, and the popular media, Boyle examines how the issue is perceived and acted upon at international, national, and individual levels. Grounding her work in the sociological theory of neoinstitutionalism, Boyle describes how the choices made by governments and individual women are influenced by the often conflicting principles of individual human rights and sovereign autonomy. She concludes that, while globalization may exacerbate such conflicts, it can ultimately lead to social change."--BOOK JACKET. In this study, Boyle examines the controversial issue of genital mutilation from the perspectives of the international system, governments, and individuals. Drawing on previous research, records of international organizations, demographic surveys, and the popular media, she examines how the issue is perceived and acted upon at international, national, and individual levels, and describes how the choices made by governments and individual women are influenced by the often conflicting principles of individual human rights and sovereign autonomy. She concludes that, while globalization may exacerbate such conflicts, it can ultimately lead to social change C O N T E N T S......Page 9 P R E FA C E......Page 11 O N E Introduction......Page 19 TWO Understanding Female Genital Cutting......Page 42 THREE The Evolution of Debates over Female Genital Cutting......Page 59 FOUR International Mobilization......Page 78 FIVE The Diffusion of National Policies against Female Genital Cutting......Page 98 SIX Variation in the Meanings of National Policies......Page 117 SEVEN Individual Response......Page 135 EIGHT Individual Frame Resonance......Page 154 NINE Conclusion......Page 170 R E F E R E N C E S......Page 183 I N D E X......Page 199

Boyle (sociology and law, U. of Minnesota) examines the controversial issue of female genital circumcision, a practice that is reviled in some parts of the world and required in others. She draws on previous scholarship, records from international organizations, demographic surveys, and the popular press to explore how the issue is perceived and acted upon at international, national, and individual levels, concluding that, while globalization may exacerbate such conflicts, it can also lead to social change. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

"Common in a number of African states, the practice of female genital cutting, or female circumcision, has attracted increasing attention and strong international opposition in recent years. In this study, sociologist and lawyer Elizabeth Heger Boyle examines this controversial practice from the perspectives of the international system, governments, and individuals."--BOOK JACKET Last spring I was flipping through television stations and came across the show 48 Hours.