This blog is in response to a reading by Nikki Sullivan for my Gender & Sexuality course at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia with instructor Margaret Mayhew.
Source: Sullivan, N. 2007. ‘“The Price to Pay for our Common Good”: Genital Modification and the Somatechnologies of Cultural (In)Difference’, Social Semiotics, 17:3, pp. 395-409.
The discourse in this reading by Sullivan discusses how cultural or "folk custom" practices of female genital mutilation is considered "repulsive" (has a negative connotation) and is illegal in the country of Australia. She also discusses how elective and cosmetic procedures like labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, vaginal rejuvenation--in addition to intersex and sex-reassignment surgeries are not considered illegal though they are some form of female genital mutilation. Her reading explores the inconsistencies and the political and ethical effects these differences in legal and social acceptance of female genital mutilation. She also provides a critique of the notion of the "common good" and cultural perspectives surrounding genital modification.
The link below is a youtube video of women speaking out on genital mutilation in Australia. Watch the link and comment on the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocEnIFX_u7A
No comments:
Post a Comment