Anatomy of an Outrage: Female Genital Cutting and the Challenge of Building Multicultural...
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Female Genital Cutting and the Challenge of Building Multicultural Democracies Anatomy of an Outrage: Lisa Wade, PhD lisa-wade.com • @lisawade • facebook.com/lisawadephd
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In response to requests from Somali immigrants to “circumcise” both their daughters and their sons, doctors at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle considered offering a procedure in local clinics. The “nick” would consist of a one-centimeter incision in the clitoral hood of girls. This lecture tells the story of this provocative idea and the battle between feminists and physicians that ensued. In addition to being fascinating in its own right, the tale has important lessons. In particular, it illuminates the power of and problems with politicizing “culture,” with important implications of interest to anyone who cares about building multicultural democracies.
Transcript of Anatomy of an Outrage: Female Genital Cutting and the Challenge of Building Multicultural...
Female Genital Cutting and the Challenge of Building Multicultural Democracies
Anatomy of an Outrage:
Lisa Wade, PhDlisa-wade.com • @lisawade •
facebook.com/lisawadephd
Susan Moller Okin:Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?
In the name of justice, multiculturalists advocate tolerance of differences between groups.
Susan Moller Okin:Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?
In the name of justice, multiculturalists advocate tolerance of differences between groups.
But they often pay more attention to the differences between groups than those within them.
Susan Moller Okin:Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?
In the name of justice, multiculturalists advocate tolerance of differences between groups.
But they often pay more attention to the differences between groups than those within them.
E.g., some groups are (more) oppressive to women (than other groups).
Susan Moller Okin:Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?
In the name of justice, multiculturalists advocate tolerance of differences between groups.
But they often pay more attention to the differences between groups than those within them.
E.g., some groups are (more) oppressive to women (than other groups).
Tolerating differences, then, may mean tolerating the oppression of women.
Susan Moller Okin:Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?
In the name of justice, multiculturalists advocate tolerance of differences between groups.
But they often pay more attention to the differences between groups than those within them.
E.g., some groups are (more) oppressive to women (than other groups).
Tolerating differences, then, may mean tolerating the oppression of women.
So who’s justice is really being served by multiculturalism?
Case Study:Female Genital Cutting
What is it?
Case Study:Female Genital Cutting
What is it? Range of genital cutting procedures.
Case Study:Female Genital Cutting
What is it? Range of genital cutting procedures. Done for a wide range of reasons.
Case Study:Female Genital Cutting
What is it? Range of genital cutting procedures. Done for a wide range of reasons. Under a wide range of conditions.
Case Study:Female Genital Cutting
What is it? Range of genital cutting procedures. Done for a wide range of reasons. Under a wide range of conditions. Occurs in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle
East.
Case Study:Female Genital Cutting
What is it? Range of genital cutting procedures. Done for a wide range of reasons. Under a wide range of conditions. Occurs in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle
East. Considered “mutilation” and a “harmful
traditional practice” by the United Nations.
Case Study:Female Genital Cutting
What is it? Range of genital cutting procedures. Done for a wide range of reasons. Under a wide range of conditions. Occurs in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle
East. Considered “mutilation” and a “harmful
traditional practice” by the United Nations.
Why female genital cutting?
An American Judge:
“This court attempts to respect traditional cultures… but this is cruel and serves no known medical purpose. It's obviously a deeply ingrained cultural tradition going back 1,000 years at least.”
– Los Angeles Times (Mar. 27th, 1994)
Narayan:Dislocating Cultures
“Bride Burning” in India happens because India is a bad place. Cultural explanation
Spousal Murder in the U.S. happens because there are some bad people. Individualist explanation
Narayan:Models of Culture
REIFIED MODEL DYNAMIC MODEL
Narayan:Models of Culture
REIFIED MODEL
Membership is straightforward.
DYNAMIC MODEL
Membership is unclear.
Narayan:Models of Culture
REIFIED MODEL
Membership is straightforward.
Groups are homogeneous.
DYNAMIC MODEL
Membership is unclear.
Members differ.
Narayan:Models of Culture
REIFIED MODEL
Membership is straightforward.
Groups are homogeneous.
Content is unchanging…
… and universally embraced.
DYNAMIC MODEL
Membership is unclear.
Members differ.
Content changes… …and is contested.
Narayan:Models of Culture
REIFIED MODEL
Membership is straightforward.
Groups are homogeneous.
Content is unchanging…
… and universally embraced.
Culture is superautonomous. People are cultural dupes.
DYNAMIC MODEL
Membership is unclear.
Members differ.
Content changes… …and is contested.
People are reflective about their cultures.
Wade:The Conflict
Harborview Medical Center Prides itself on “culturally responsive
healthcare”
Wade:The Conflict
Harborview Medical Center Prides itself on “culturally responsive
healthcare” Large population of Somali
immigrants “yes, and my daughter too”
Wade:The Conflict
Harborview Medical Center Prides itself on “culturally responsive
healthcare” Large population of Somali
immigrants “yes, and my daughter too”
Response Focus groups Ethics committee Formal proposal
Wade:The Conflict
Harborview Medical Center Prides itself on “culturally responsive
healthcare” Large population of Somali immigrants
“yes, and my daughter too” Response
Focus groups Ethics committee Formal proposal
Opposition Emerges
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS OPPONENTS
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
OPPONENTS
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
OPPONENTS
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
OPPONENTS
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
OPPONENTS
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
DEFINITELY “mutilation”
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
DEFINITELY “mutilation”
Slippery slope
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
DEFINITELY “mutilation”
Slippery slope
Symbolic persistence
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
DEFINITELY “mutilation”
Slippery slope
Symbolic persistence
Somali obedience
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
DEFINITELY “mutilation”
Slippery slope
Symbolic persistence
Somali obedience
Impossibility of consent
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
DEFINITELY “mutilation”
Slippery slope
Symbolic persistence
Somali obedience
Impossibility of consent
A DYNAMIC MODEL
Wade:The Arguments
PROPONENTS
NOT “genital mutilation”
Bridging procedure
Symbolic change
Somali reflection
Gender equity
OPPONENTS
DEFINITELY “mutilation”
Slippery slope
Symbolic persistence
Somali obedience
Impossibility of consent
A DYNAMIC MODEL A REIFIED MODEL
Wade:What Happened?
Wade:Who Was Right?
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS OPPONENTS
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them Trivialized the
abandonment of infibulation
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them Trivialized the
abandonment of infibulation
Does this leave any possibility for meaningful cultural change?
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS
Overconfident; romanticized cultural adaptation
OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them Trivialized the
abandonment of infibulation
Does this leave any possibility for meaningful cultural change?
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS
Overconfident; romanticized cultural adaptation
Perhaps undersold cultural resilience
OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them Trivialized the
abandonment of infibulation
Does this leave any possibility for meaningful cultural change?
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS
Overconfident; romanticized cultural adaptation
Perhaps undersold cultural resilience
Dismissed the input of other experts
OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them Trivialized the
abandonment of infibulation
Does this leave any possibility for meaningful cultural change?
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS
Overconfident; romanticized cultural adaptation
Perhaps undersold cultural resilience
Dismissed the input of other experts
Trivialized their worries
OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them Trivialized the
abandonment of infibulation
Does this leave any possibility for meaningful cultural change?
Wade:What Mistakes Were Made?
PROPONENTS
Overconfident; romanticized cultural adaptation
Perhaps undersold cultural resilience
Dismissed the input of other experts
Trivialized their worries
Can a group be socialized to a new way of oppressing women?
OPPONENTS
Reproduced ugly stereotypes
Underestimated the Somali women
Didn’t listen to them Trivialized the
abandonment of infibulation
Does this leave any possibility for meaningful cultural change?
Questions?
Lisa Wade, PhDlisa-wade.com • @lisawade •
facebook.com/lisawadephd
