Minds Are Open Only When Hearts Are Open Analysis Essay Example

parents choose to abort a fetus solely because it is female. Advancements in medical technology have allowed parents to determine fetal sex early in pregnancy, resulting in an increase in selective abortions within communities that prefer boys.

Female infanticide and feticide are commonly practiced in societies where girls are considered culturally and economically less advantageous than boys. These practices have been reported in various regions including China, North Korea, South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan), the Middle East (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia Turkey), and parts of Africa (Cameroon, Liberia Madagascar Senegal Nigeria). Poverty-stricken and overpopulated areas tend to be the predominant regions where these acts occur.

The preference for boys originates from the desire to preserve family lineage as it is typically carried only by males in most societies. Moreover,, sons are seen as better investments since they are expected to care for their parents in old age. In contrast, once a girl gets married she becomes her husband's property and holds little value to her own parents.

In male-dominated societies with prevalent anti-girl attitudes that lead to objectification and subjugation of women, some mothers resort to female infanticide and feticide as a means of protecting their daughters. Girls often have lower earning potential compared to boys due to limited job opportunities and lower pay rates. This economic disparity is particularly significant in impoverished communities where every family member's contribution is crucial for household income.

Girls lose their ability to financially support their families after marriage, as they are required to give all of their earnings to their spouses. This creates a greater economic burden for families raising girls, especially in cultures that have expensive religious

and social ceremonies exclusively for girls. Consequently, poor families often end up with nothing after organizing these ceremonies in order to maintain their respected social status. It is important to note that not only mothers but also other influential family members such as husbands or mothers-in-law may encourage or participate in female infanticide and feticide.

Furthermore, women may face community pressure and physical abuse if they choose to keep a child against the wishes of others. They also risk being disowned by their husbands or parents, which can result in homelessness. India and China, both primarily patriarchal societies, have shed light on the practices of female infanticide and selective abortion. In these countries, it is customary for a girl to leave her own family and join her husband's household upon marriage. Despite being illegal, dowry still persists in India, further devaluing female children due to the large sums of money demanded during marriage arrangements.

Female infanticide is prevalent in rural areas and among lower castes, while in China it largely ceased after the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. However, there was a notable rise in instances of "missing" women during the 1980s, which correlated with the implementation of the one-child policy in 1979 to combat overpopulation. Due to this strict law, families favored sons over daughters since sons can provide support to their parents in old age while daughters are married off. The consequences stemming from sex-selective abortion and female infanticide extend beyond the loss of countless female lives.

The practice of trafficking foreign women for marriage has greatly affected the male-to-female ratio in certain countries, creating a profitable industry. Similarly, adoption agencies exploit impoverished families

by pressuring them to sell their daughters for international adoption. Although female infanticide is now illegal in countries like India and China, local authorities often ignore this problem. Doctors who perform sex-selective abortions in these countries frequently avoid punishment. To eliminate these practices, it is crucial to raise public awareness and gain support from local communities instead of relying solely on legislation and law enforcement. In India, progress has been made through government initiatives that educate the public and encourage non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to combat these practices.
Female Genital Cutting refers to altering or removing female genitalia and is a deeply ingrained cultural practice found across various countries with diverse religious beliefs—particularly prevalent in Africa.

Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female genital mutilation, female genital circumcision, female genital operations, or clitoridectomies, has affected approximately 130 million girls and women. This harmful practice poses a continuing threat to at least two million girls every year. FGC is prevalent in 28 out of Africa's 43 countries, including Egypt, Eritrea, Mali Sudan, and the Central African Republic. It is also practiced in Middle Eastern countries such as Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, certain immigrant communities in the United States, Latin America, and Asia (Indonesia Sri Lanka Malaysia) also engage in FGC.

Research in areas where Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is prevalent suggests that a woman's perspective on FGC is strongly influenced by her place of residence, educational background, and employment status. A health survey conducted in Egypt discovered that urban women are less supportive of FGC compared to rural women. Additionally, employed women and those with at least a secondary-level education also exhibit decreased support for

FGC. Studies on FGC also highlight both short-term and long-term health consequences for girls, including immediate effects such as hemorrhaging, pain, shock, severe bleeding, and urinary complications. Regrettably, these complications have tragically resulted in the death of numerous girls.

girls can develop infections like tetanus, hepatitis, and HIV. long-term complications may include chronic bladder and pelvic infections, infertility, excessive scar tissue, cysts, and complications during or after childbirth. FGC can also cause painful or dangerous sexual intercourse and prevent sexual fulfillment. FGC may lead to psychological effects such as anxiety, terror, humiliation, betrayal, and depression. FGC is often justified by tradition and customs. Other reasons include confirming femininity, controlling sexual behavior, and maintaining aesthetics and cleanliness in cultures that consider female genitalia parts dirty or dangerous.

[8] Many Muslims who practice FGC sometimes cite religious justifications. However, FGC predates Islam, and the majority of Muslims do not practice it. Some Islamic leaders also deny any connection between their religion and FGC. Most other communities that practice FGC follow traditional Animist religions. [9] One challenge in eradicating FGC is that many women, often victims of the procedure, view it as an important cultural tradition and sometimes believe it is necessary for marriage eligibility. But progress has been made through education, legislation, and awareness campaigns. Studies show that the more people attend secondary school, the higher the opposition to FGC. Therefore, increased educational opportunities for girls will lead to more female opposition against the practice.

While some African countries have implemented laws against female genital cutting (FGC) and other governments are supportive of efforts to eliminate it, certain communities still regard less severe forms of FGC as lawful

and acceptable. The World Health Organization (WHO), an international organization, advocates for the complete eradication of FGC and opposes its medicalization in any manner.

Honor killing refers to the act of killing girls and women who are believed to have brought disgrace upon their families by engaging in premarital or extramarital sexual activity, or other actions perceived as inappropriate. The definition of "inappropriate" behavior has expanded to include acts such as rape, incest, sexual abuse, or even baseless rumors.

In countries where honor killings are prevalent, it is common for a girl to be killed by male relatives, such as her father, husband, brother, uncle, or cousin. The purpose of these killings is to restore honor to the family. However, the legal consequences for honor killings in these countries are usually lenient.

Determining the exact number of women who become victims of honor killings is challenging due to underreporting. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), up to 5,000 females are estimated to be killed annually as a result of honor killings. Although predominantly occurring in Muslim nations, neither the Islamic religion nor its laws endorse this practice. Honor killings have also been documented in other countries including Bangladesh, Britain, Brazil, Ecuador,
Egypt,
India,
Israel Italy Norway Jordan Pakistan Peru Morocco Sweden Turkey Uganda and Venezuela.

Behaviors that can provoke an honor violation include engaging in an illicit sexual relationship eloping experiencing rape or sexual abuse by a family member and subsequently fleeing seeking divorce and even being seen alone with a man or boy regardless
of whether the situation is innocent.Infants born to mothers accused of dishonoring their families may also be killed.Accusations related to these activities or any other misconduct

are sufficient grounds for initiating an honor killing often without requiring substantial evidence.

In different countries, communities, and situations, girls can experience various forms of violence including strangulation, shooting, beating to death, stabbing, hacking to death, or even burning. In societies that prioritize communalism, the actions of any family member affect the entire family's social standing. The well-being and safety of individuals take a backseat to preserving the family's reputation. Men in many societies believe that their own honor is intertwined with their family's honor. This belief leads them to commit honor killings when girls or women bring shame upon the family. Arab and Islamic communities especially judge a family's honor based on how its girls and women behave. Patriarchal traditions further complicate matters for women as they are both seen as vulnerable beings needing male protection and as sinister individuals who threaten society.

There is often a lack of punishment or lenient sentences for men who commit honor killings. Some judges may give lighter sentences to men who claim they killed in defense of their honor. In certain countries like Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan, there are laws that support honor killings where men can kill their wives for committing adultery. In Egypt, husbands can receive a reduced sentence if they prove they killed their wives to protect their own honor. However, Lebanon and Jordan have made progress in imposing harsher punishments on offenders. Previously, Article 340 of Jordan's penal code exempted husbands or close blood relatives from any sentence if they killed a woman suspected of adultery. However, this article was revised in December 2001 to allow for a penalty reduction if the murder occurs immediately

after personally witnessing the victim committing adultery.

Efforts have been made in the past decade to combat honor killing and hold male perpetrators accountable, with mass media, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations like the United Nations bringing public attention to this issue. Rana Husseni, a Jordanian journalist, played a crucial role by raising awareness through her articles in the Jordan Times, which sparked a nationwide campaign against honor killing. In 1999, representatives from multiple countries gathered for a conference on preventing honor crimes, resulting in increased government actions against this practice.

To contribute towards ending female infanticide, sex-selective abortion, female genital cutting, or honor killing, there are several ways you can help. It is important to approach these challenges with sensitivity and promote gender equality when interacting with colleagues, students, children lawmakers and friends. Showing solidarity by supporting organizations like Youth Advocate Program International that work towards ending discrimination against girls is valuable. Writing letters to government officials expressing concerns and urging aggressive action against these practices is also effective. Lastly, getting involved in grassroots organizing can drive improvements at local national and international levels.