In the article The Scares of Tradition written by Charles P.

Wallace
we are reminded as cultures start to mix and move around the world how different
beliefs in different cultures effect traditions. Female circumcision in Africa is
considered a tradition and a rite of passage but is considered female mutilation
throughout Europe and laws have been made to ban this mutilating of women. I find
the cultural context is Europes outlaw of female circumcision. It seems the
argument of cleanliness is the same argument for male circumcision which is still
acceptable and has become more of social norm than not being circumcised. With
people piercing not only their faces their clitoriss as well, will that that be outlawed
as well or will it continue to be considered self-expression? We as a society alter our
bodies surgically all the time. How do we decided whats tradition and what is
mutilation?