Burrage, Hilary. Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: A UK Perspective. Taylor & Francis, 2016.
The book attempts a comprehensive discussion of the concept of female genital mutilation, particularly as it applies to the United Kingdom. It begins with a demographic, epidemiologic, and socioeconomic analysis of the issue’s origins, as well as a discussion of the perceptions and beliefs that have driven the phenomenon over time. Then, it discusses the role of power dynamics between men and women in the phenomenon. Elaboration on clinical issues, legislation, and prevention methods follows, and the work concludes with a discussion of female genital mutilation in UK politics and the practice’s eradication. The value of this book is in its broad and detailed analysis of various aspects of female genital mutilation that can lead the researcher to more specific topics.
Droy, Laurence T. Modelling the Social Dynamics of Female Genital Mutilation: Methodological Discussion and Development. Dissertation, University of Leicester, 2020.
The dissertation discusses the practice of female genital mutilation as a social phenomenon. It mentions that scholars have adopted this approach in trying to understand the tradition and model it so that its eradication can be more effective. The author critically evaluates the current game-theory approach to this endeavor and proposes a new strategy. They test it by applying it to a number of existing coordination models to quantify the uncertainties. Finally, they use the model to suggest social mechanics that may impede efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. The value of this work is its indication of the potential approaches that can be used to help eliminate the practice.
Aslett, Judy. Not Talking in Riddles: To What Extent Can the Making and Use of Factual Documentary Change Understanding and Attitudes towards Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia? Dissertation, University of Sussex, 2021.
The author investigates the possibility of using documentaries as a tool for female genital mutilation eradication campaigns. They use the Gambia as a case study, as, though the practice was banned there in 2016, there have been no successful prosecutions for it even as it continues. They cooperate with NGOs and a local presenter to make several different versions of a documentary that all try to focus on the local issues and debates with the aim of promoting the end of the practice. They find that the approach can be effective, particularly if the film is made collaboratively with participation by all the people involved. The value of this work is in its indication of a potentially effective approach and highlighting of the importance of considering the local situation.
Atkinson, Holly G., et al. “Public Health Research Priorities to Address Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting in the United States.” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 109, no. 11, 2019, pp. 1523–1527.
The authors discuss the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the United States. Despite the nation’s first-world status, the practice is still prevalent in the nation, in large part because of the influx of immigrant families that retain their traditions. The authors highlight the conservative estimate of 513,000 women and girls having undergone or being threatened by female genital mutilation. They also discuss a variety of concerning incidents, such as the arrests of physicians who were willing to perform the procedure despite its non-medical nature. The authors find numerous gaps in the understanding of the practice’s prevalence in the US and the interventions that can be used to curb it. The value of this paper is in how it explores the phenomenon in a wealthy developed democracy as opposed to the less affluent setting usually associated with it.
Dawson, Angela, et al. “Addressing Female Genital Mutilation in the Asia Pacific: The Neglected Sustainable Development Target.” Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 44, no. 1, 2020, pp. 8–10.
The authors explore the situation surrounding female genital mutilation in Pacific Asia, an area often disregarded in favor of Africa. They discuss the practice’s local prevalence in various nations within the region as well as the different types of it that are employed. Moreover, over time, support for the procedure in many regions has not changed significantly, with large majorities of parents in nations such as Indonesia supporting its continuation. There are also religious objections from Muslims who view female genital mutilation as a religious requirement and believe that the ban marginalizes them. The value of this article is in its elaboration of the scope of the issue worldwide as opposed to a limited number of areas that are currently the targets of scholarly focus.
Strid, Sofia, and Tobias K. Axelsson. “Involving Men: The Multiple Meanings of Female Genital Mutilation in a Minority Migrant Context.” NORA: Nordic Journal of Women’s Studies, vol. 28, no. 4, 2020, pp. 287–301.
The authors consider the involvement of men in female genital mutilation practices within migrant communities in Scandinavian nations. They focus in particular on immigrants from Somali, where the practice is widespread. The authors interview 13 men to determine their degree of agreement with the practice and involvement with its perpetration. They find that the men are overall ambivalent, leaving the decision-making and execution of the procedure to the women in their households. The difference stems from the conflict they face between their home and new culture, being willing to learn about the dangers of female genital mutilation but not necessarily having access to this information. The value of this article is in elaborating upon the social dynamics of the procedure in migrant communities and ways of persuading them to abandon the practice.
Wittenstein, Vicki Oransky. Reproductive Rights: Who Decides? Twenty-First Century Books, 2016.
The author attempts to outline the topic of reproductive rights in the United States by providing a historical perspective on them. They begin the discussion with the mention of the original 1873 ban on the mailing of objects such as contraceptives or abortion aids. They then discuss the worsening of the prohibitions, with some states banning the discussion of these practices alongside advertising, sales, and other dissemination methods. At the same time, they mention the movements that began to challenge this social dynamic. The book then moves through the development of The Pill and the landmark Roe v. Wade case to the present, outlining the various conflicts that took place throughout. The value of the book is in its historical perspective on the evolution of reproductive rights in a nation where the debate is considerably old and that can serve as a parallel to other nations.
Tumwine, Gilbert, et al. “Predictors of Health Care Practitioners’ Normative Attitudes and Practices towards Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A Cross-Sectional Study of Participants from Low-Income Countries Enrolled in a Capacity-Building Program.” Global Health Action, vol. 13, no. 1, 2020. Web.
The authors discuss the role of medical practitioners in promoting reproductive rights in low-income countries. They aim to determine whether cultural and religious influences affect their views on the topic significantly. To that end, they conduct a quantitative survey of 115 professionals from 10 countries, using linear regression to determine what individual characteristics influenced reproductive rights awareness and opinions. They found that neither culture nor religion was strongly associated with attitudes and practices surrounding the concept. Instead, normative attitudes toward reproductive rights and active knowledge-seeking behavior were the most significant predictors. The value of this article is in indicating the traits and views of a group that is instrumental in helping promote reproductive rights, particularly in lower-income nations.
Sole-Smith, Virginia. “Birth Control Can Be Dangerous to Women’s Health.” Birth Control, edited by Jack Lasky, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, Originally published as “The Birth Control Pill Has Become a Widely Prescribed Cure All… But What About the Drawbacks?” Elle.
The author discusses the effects of contraceptive pills, which have become highly popular since their inception in the middle of the 20th century. The medicine alleviates many symptoms of the menstrual cycle while also preventing unwanted pregnancies. This convenience has led it to become a mainstay recommendation for many gynecologists, sometimes starting in adolescence. However, Sole-Smith notes that the medication has many problematic side effects, including sore breasts, loss of libido, and migraines. It can also be associated with a variety of other conditions that have effects up to and including infertility. The author uses her example to illustrate a broader critique of birth control pills, including the lack of regulation on their use and unclear side effects. The value of this article is in its illustration of the drawbacks of some of the most ubiquitous tools used to promote reproductive rights that may be being used for nefarious purposes.
Shea, John B. “Birth Control Results in More Abortions.” Birth Control, edited by Beth Rosenthal, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints. Originally published as “What the Church Teaches About Human Reproduction,” Catholic Insight, 2006.
The article is a viewpoint writing by the author, who opposes the idea of contraception because of its implications. John B. Shea argues that, due to contraception, the number of abortions has increased, at least from the viewpoint of the Catholic faith, which equates contraception with abortion. He also claims that non-medical family planning is more effective at avoiding pregnancy and cites some facts regarding the success rates of contraceptives and abortion tools. Lastly, the author highlights the emergence of artificial reproductive technologies, which is morally forbidden by the church. He concludes the article with a summary of troubling facts associated with the practice. The article is useful because it provides a summary of the Christian arguments against reproductive rights.