Sometime ago, my friend and I came across an article on Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision in Africa where the practice was justified as essential in making women appealing to men. The article detailed the efforts by many organizations including the UN to stop this practice unsuccessfully. I pointed out that these efforts were an example of the centuries old practice of the west trying to ‘civilize’ Africa by insisting on changing their cultures. My friend was appalled at me. and pointed out that the practice was unnecessary and harmed the little girls for life. It also created potentially fatal problems for women during childbirth. I however pointed out that despite this practice, Africa still enjoys one of the highest birthrates in the world and that this practiced had been done for years before Americans and Europeans came to Africa. Besides, many who undergo it actually want to go through the process. I also pointed out that the west does not have any moral ground to question this practice as the women in America and Europe undergo more extreme body modifications in their quest to look attractive for their men.
This discussion led to an argument on whether it is correct for the U.S to impose its ideologies and culture on other cultures. My friend insisted that it is correct especially where in this case, the practice entailed abuse of human rights. He pointed out that there are many countries today that have fashioned their democracy after the USA, or at least borrowed from it which shows that the U.S way of life is admired by other nations. I pointed out that interfering with other people’s way of life is wrong because it denotes that one culture is superior to another, which is a fallacy. Further I pointed out that it is important for societies to be allowed to slowly without any pressure in order for their advancement to match their contexts.
For my friend, the claim was that imposing new cultures on other civilizations was alright in most cases. The support was that some of these people’s cultures abused human rights, such as female genital mutilation. The warrant was that many countries have copied the American system as a model of democracy in an effort to better protect human rights
For me, the claim was that the developed countries had no right to impose their cultures on other civilizations. The support was that these civilizations have lived just fine without our help for hundreds of years. The claim that female genital mutilation complicates child birth is not supported by a reduced birthrate. The warrant was that the people would be better for these peoples to evolve in their culture by themselves.
Works Cited
Deen, Thalif. "U.N. Intensifies Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation." Inter Press Service 7 February 2011. Web 15 June 2012. < http://www.ipsnews.net/2011/02/un-intensifies-campaign-against-female-genital-mutilation/>
