Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Anthropology - Essay fontcide and female genital mutilation ar two of the invests that I would like to discuss looking from the point of panorama of a cultural relativist and later observe it as an ethnocentric anthropologist would.A cultural relativist would view these practices in the socio-cultural perspective of the people where it is practices and rationalise it as per the need and demand of the people and place. Infanticide is still prevalent in the far-east, especially in some part of India. It is the practice of killing infants in womb of the mother, especially if it is a girl child. As per the Indian custom, male children are supposed to carry on the family name and traditions and they are often preferred over girl child. It is also believed that last rites of a dead person must be carried by his or her son so that he attains salvation of the soul. Under dire scotch compulsions, mothers have been forced to kill the infant in the womb.On the other hand, female genital m utilation is practices among sure Moslim clan where pre pubescent girls are forced to undergo surgical mutilation of their genitals without anaesthesia. The Moslems believe that Quran1, their religious scripture, promoted this practice so that women do not become promiscuous and men are not swayed from the path of religion. It is the decree of Allah2, therefore, it is the personal choice of the individuals following that religion.As an ethnocentric anthropologist and as an American, I am totally afraid(predicate) that such practices are still in vogue. Acts and proclamations that do not conform to basic human determine of freedom of spirit and compassion for fellow human being, must be stopped at the earliest, rase if they are carried on, in the name of religion and culture.Infanticide and FGM3 are both barbaric acts which violate the basic value of our race. Infanticide is killing of another human being and no matter what the compulsions are behind the deed, it is a clear up of the first order and the