Last month, Ethiopian immigrant Khalid Adem was arrested for circumcision of his then 2-year-old daughter's genitals in 2001. He was living in Duluth, Ga. at the time. This is a common practice in Ethiopia, where Adem is from; where it is thought to preserve a girl's virginity and eliminate her sex drive. It is often performed as a coming of age or pre-marriage ritual. Health experts and human rights activists say that it is extremely painful, medically unnecessary and unsafe. However, because the practice is accepted in Africa, some argue that because it is a part of Adem's culture, he meant no harm, and should not have been arrested.
This argument is not only absurd but also incredibly dangerous.
Firstly, Adem was living and working in America at the time-meaning that he ought to have abided by our legal system. The United States is culturally and politically very different from Ethiopia. Anyone planning to live here permanently should make an effort to understand and assimilate to our customs.
Secondly, genital cutting is not a harmless cultural practice. It is not an innocuous difference like food or clothing. Female circumcision at the scissor-wielding hands of a parent is traumatizing psychologically, sexually and physically. Adem's daughter will never recover.
Genital cutting, in addition to being illegal and unacceptable in America, is a barbaric practice. It is not done hygienically or in a painless manner and it cruelly disregards the feelings of the girl involved.
Furthermore, it's sexist and misogynist.
One of its chief purposes is to prevent the woman from enjoying sex, reducing her experience to an obligation. Moreover, the practice amounts to a hateful assault on the female body and a condemnation of its functions.
Finally, arguing that Adem should be released because his actions are common in his culture opens a Pandora's box of new problems. In some cultures, a woman is persecuted (often killed) for being raped, not her attacker. Actually, in the same cultures rape is considered an appropriate response to sexual attraction. In others, marrying 11-year-olds is entirely acceptable.
If it happens in America, does cultural difference make it acceptable? No. Civilized societies have different standards. If one wishes to benefit from living in such a society, one must assimilate and leave behind abhorrent practices-no matter how common they are. Adem's arrest is justified in every way.
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