Part 1: Where do you draw the line? Exploring Cultural Relativism You are an anthropologist. In the course of your fieldwork, you have discovered some practices that are very different from what you are used to at home. Do you have the right to judge these practices? Are there certain practices that we can say are universally wrong? Where do you draw the line?
Part 1: Where do you draw the line?
Exploring Cultural Relativism
You are an anthropologist. In the course of your fieldwork, you have discovered some practices that are very different from what you are used to at home. Do you have the right to judge these practices? Are there certain practices that we can say are universally wrong? Where do you draw the line?
1 = This is fine with me. I would have no trouble observing and writing about this practice without judgment of the people involved.
2 = This behavior is somewhat disturbing, but I think I might be able to maintain my objectivity.
3 = This behavior is heinous. I would have serious trouble maintaining my objectivity and would feel very guilty doing so. I might feel compelled to write an article on this practice, exposing the group to the scrutiny of the American media.
4 = This behavior violates the core of my being. There is no way I could possibly remain silent while this was taking place in a society that I was studying, when I think there may be something I could do to help. I would definitely act.
HERE ARE THE SCENARIOS:
Where do you draw the line?
______ In the Maasai tribe of Kenya, East Africa, teenage boys undergo a voluntary circumcision. The circumcision is done with no anesthesia; in fact, if the boy shows any sign of fear or discomfort, he may be ridiculed or, worse, not allowed to join the adult men’s group.
______ In Afghanistan, under the 20 year rule of the Taliban, severe restrictions were placed on women in public life. During this time, women were banned from laughing loudly in public, playing sports, and using cosmetics. Windows were painted so that women could not be seen from outside their homes. Women were not allowed unaccompanied in the streets without a close male relative.
______ In many cultures throughout the world, polygamy is common, especially an arrangement in which one man takes several brides. Brides are often 20-30 years younger than their husbands. Co-wives share the burden of labor and child-rearing.
______ In North and East Africa (including the countries of Egypt, Somalia and Sudan), girls from the ages of 4-8 are “circumcised,” a process referred to by anthropologists as FGM, or Female Genital Mutilation. Their clitoris may be removed completely. In extreme cases, their labia will be sewn up, leaving a small hole for urine, until marriage. Girls are often considered unmarriageable until this procedure is performed; however, it also leads to pain and serious health problems.
______ In ancient Aztec (Nahua) life, prisoners of war were routinely sacrificed to the gods. Their beating hearts would be taken from their bodies and then the bodies would be ritually burned. The Aztecs believed that without this constant intake of nutrition, the gods would stop the motion of the sun in the sky, darkness would fall on the earth, and all life would cease.
______ In Pakistan, women have a responsibility to maintain the family’s honor. If they are promiscuous or commit adultery outside marriage, they may be stoned to death or killed secretly. These killings, often by members of the family, may go unpunished by the law. They are called “honor killings” because they reflect the restoration of honor to the family.
______ In the United States, women and men undergo painful surgical procedures on their faces and bodies in order to increase “attractiveness.” For this same purpose, women may implant balloons filled with saline or silicone in their breasts or buttocks. Some studies claim that metals in implants may be neurotoxic or carcinogenic.
1.) Why did you choose these scores for these scenarios (Pick 3 of the 7)
2.) Research the value and reason (Emic & Etic theories) for these practices. If you chose a practice that is no longer around (human sacrifice) then research the value of why they did this. Cite your sources adhering to APA 7th.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 5 steps
