Is Mutulation a Rite of Passage or a Violation of Rights

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In many parts of the world rites of passage are set to announce that one has entered a new era of their life. Mutilation also known as female circumcision has been dated back to over 5000 years. Many people would argue that female circumcision is a violation of rights. This will be determined by examining its purpose to many cultures, the health risks and consequences as well as the personal rights of the women. Unlike the western culture, a woman who has participated in premarital sex is highly frowned upon. A family may lose out on having their daughter married if she is not “closed.” A girl’s virginity is very important for her ability to get married It becomes a thing of prestige, economics and family honor when it comes to female circumcision. Female mutilation is an essential part of a woman’s life to the societies that practice it, where the control of female sexuality and fertility are givens. Female circumcision reduces the uncertainty of premarital sexual activity because of its harsh procedure it prevents and discourages it all together. Even though the societies that practice circumcision can be very different, in each one the majority of females get little to no education and are simply looked upon as child bearers. In some communities, the husband's family pays a bride price to the family of the woman to be married which gives his family the right to her labor and her children unfortunately she has no right to or control over either. For example, in Somalia the husband's family may have the right to inspect the bride's body prior to marriage, if they wish or are skeptical and the mothers usually check their mutilated daughters to make sure that they are still sealed up. This practice is not meant to be harmful, but to ensure their daughter is pure so that the family is able to receive the bride price. In many cultures, pressure is put on

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