1) Define ethnocentrism in your own words.
Ethnocentrism is the idea that one views the world through his or her own culture. This belief can be both positive or negative depending on how a situation is handled.
2) Define cultural relativism in your own words.
Cultural relativism is the idea that though we may see the world ethnocentrically, we must observe without making judgement in order to truly understand a culture.
Now apply these concepts to an example. Let’s use the practice of female circumcision. Read some of the information provided, discuss with classmates and then respond to the questions below:
3) What is your initial response to the practice of female circumcision?
To be honest, I was kind of revolted. I had no idea that anything like this existed, but I wanted to learn more about the justifications for it, if only to develop counter-arguments to them.
4) What is an ethnocentric perspective regarding this cultural practice?
From the perspective of those who support this practice, FGM is probably meant for the best. It is a sure way to guarantee a woman's honor and secure her a good husband, which is very important in Islamic societies.
From an outsider's perspective, FGM is a horrible process. One can assume that this is meant to control a woman, not protect her. An outsider may not consider the importance of honor and securing a good husband.
5) What is a culturally relative perspective regarding this practice?
As mentioned above, one might assume that FGM is a way of controlling a woman. However, this allows us a different perspective. By looking at the justifications for the support of FGM one can better understand the origins of the process, though one's opinions on the subject may not change. If we were to live in a society that put a woman's honor and finding a good husband above all else, we might be more open to understanding this practice.
6) What are the problems with thinking ethnocentrically in this context?
Of course one runs the risk of being too close-minded on the matter. If one were to think ethnocentrically, then the idea that cultures that practice FGM are somehow primitive might arise. One may look at countries that practice FGM and draw negative conclusions about their view or treatment of women.
7) What are the problems of thinking relativistically in this context?
If we think relatively we might miss key aspects of the culture. With FGM it is vital that the observer come to some concrete conclusion about the true motivation behind this practice. If one does not do that it becomes difficult to further understand any rituals associated with the culture.
8) In your view does cultural relativism necessarily mean ethical relativism? Why or why not?
Though, like culture, ethics are learned, they are harder to ignore. If one were confronted with, cannibalism for example and their sense of ethics tells them this is wrong, it is difficult to think otherwise. Though one may still understand the motivations behind a practice, their opinion is still controlled by their system of ethics.
9) What, if anything, do you think should be done? Why?
In the interest of not imposing my own beliefs on others, I feel that FMG should be legal but only under specific (anesthesia, steralized setting, etc.) conditions and consent of the woman involved.
Ethnocentrism can drastically alter our view of the world. If one goes on thinking that a certain culture better than all the rest, then any difference from one's own culture automatically becomes a flaw. The problem with seeing the world this way is that it can lead to hate and prejudice by the grouping of people into hierarchies based on your own culture. Our culture tends to be what we view the world though, but if we are not aware of it, our culture can easily distort rather than clarify the things we see in the world.
1 comment:
Thanks for the post Srawr42. It addressed all of the outcome mastery criteria and thus you've demonstrated mastery of the Perspective and Experience learning unit.
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