Anthropological Concepts of 'Ethnocentrism' and Term Paper

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" (Monaghan & Just, 2000, p. 49)

An extreme example of cultural relativity and the possible moral issues that it might raise, is the practice of female circumcision in many East African societies. From a western cultural perspective, this practice is ethically and morally unacceptable. However, when considered form the vantage point of the societies in question and their specific cultural norms and values, the practice takes on another dimension.

It is easy to see this practice as violating basic human rights and equally easy to be moved to work for its suppression. On the other hand, doing so would be a fundamental violation of the cultural autonomy of the people who practise this ritual.

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Moreover, when, as cognitive relativism dictates, we view the practise in the context of cultural theories regarding sexuality, reproduction, gender, and the life cycle, we may find,...that female circumcision participates with male circumcision in a rich set of meanings having to do with the way society, rather than nature, makes boys and girls into men and women. (Monaghan & Just, 2000, p. 51)

In conclusion, cultural relativity is a view which theoretically opposes the more biased views of ethnocentrism. The contemporary leaning towards cultural relativity has opened world cultures and allows their free expression with the same intrinsic status as other more dominant cultures......

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