Based on Nussbaum’s argument, are you convinced that we ought to intervene in the practice of female genital mutilation? Why or why not?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Yes, based on Martha Nussbaum’s argument, we ought to intervene in the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Explanation:
Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach emphasizes the importance of allowing every human being the opportunity to live a life with dignity and fundamental freedoms. According to her framework, individuals should be able to develop and exercise basic capabilities such as bodily integrity, health, and autonomy. Female genital mutilation directly violates these capabilities by causing permanent harm to a woman’s body, threatening her health, and undermining her ability to make autonomous choices about her sexuality and reproductive life.
Nussbaum rejects the idea that harmful cultural practices should be tolerated simply because they are traditional or part of a local identity. She argues that moral relativism cannot justify practices that cause serious bodily harm or violate basic human rights. FGM, which often occurs without the informed consent of the girls and women subjected to it, is an example of such a violation. It results in lifelong physical and psychological consequences, including infection, pain, infertility, and trauma.
Nussbaum believes that respecting cultural diversity does not mean ignoring oppression within cultures. She encourages thoughtful intervention that supports local reformers, educates communities, and offers resources for alternative rites of passage. Intervention should not be imposed from the outside with force, but rather guided by a universal commitment to human dignity and justice.
Therefore, Nussbaum’s reasoning supports the idea that intervention in the practice of FGM is not only justified but morally necessary. Such intervention protects the essential capabilities of girls and women, helps to challenge gender-based violence, and promotes a more just global society in which every individual has the chance to flourish.