Assignment 6

The document discusses several cultural practices that may present dilemmas of cultural relativism, including adultery, incest, cousin marriage, polygamy, and divorce. It provides examples of how these practices are viewed in some societies compared to others and the author's own views and family experiences related to some of the topics.

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Assignment 6

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gadir

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Gadir Jaafar

Anthropology
Assignment #6
March 30th, 2017
Assignment #6
Adultery in some societies may be taken badly. As mentioned in the book, it
is mostly found in religious countries such as in Asia or Africa, where those who
commit adultery must be punished to death (TEXTBOOK 212-213). For instance,
in a Taliban controlled village in Afghanistan, two young lovers were found
committing adultery, therefore, they were buried to death, in a form of a spectacle
to a huge public. Now, this will generate a dilemma on whether there should be
cultural relativism. Since it is part of their culture, the religion and theyre so-called
sharia law (which is what Muslims must follow to live in accordance and harmony
with people, and a proper life, and in this case, its only extremist who do that),
outsiders cant really come and tell them your religion is wrong. However, they can
come and tell them that their actions are not the best, and that taking a life is a
crime you should be punished for also. Honestly speaking, this will generate cultural
relativism to other cultures, but as a Muslim myself, I find this ridiculous. Killing is
part of their culture, but I condemn the killing of innocent people, whether they
have committed a small crime; I find it inhuman to kill someone in front of a huge
public and to be proud of it, and to blame the religion after their acts. Brief, yes, it
be cultural relativism dilemma when you think of it that killing is part of their culture
and that harsh punishments is what makes them a controlled society, however,
those killings are still irrational.
There is the incest taboo, which is a topic of cultural relativism dilemma. In
fact, anthropologists have said that the incest taboo exists to maintain the stability
and integrity of the family (TEXTBOOK 215). For sure occidental societies will find
that incest taboo is weird and unacceptable. However, in some cultures, it is highly
practiced and it is what makes them a society of today. This topic can be a cultural
relativism dilemma, since it rarely happens in other societies, so it is dangerous and
immoral. However, others find it important to grow within their familys ratio. In
incest taboo, cousin-marriage falls in there, and this is where it is present in Muslim
societies. Many people will, for sure, not be fond of this form of marriage, but it is
part of their culture. For instance, if they can tolerate Game of Thrones and what
happens between them, then the thought of it existing in other countries should be
less shocking.
In my family, cousin marriage is something my mom doesnt want to happen,
honestly speaking. I live in a family where my parents dont exactly share this old-
school mentality of their society. My parents werent even related and they got
married, but I know some families who married through cousin-marriage. We have
nothing against it, but it is just not the practice that we want to apply for future
generations. Also, in my family we never speak of marriage, I guess we can say that
I have been assimilated to this countrys lifestyle.
Polygamy is a subject I am not really for. However, there is somewhat
something like this found in Islam. It is that men can marry 4 women, but lets not
forget that It is 4 women at a time. It would be for the following reasons: if his wife
dies, he can marry another woman; if his wife is sick, he can marry another woman
after her death; if his wife cant be pregnant, he divorces her and then marries
another woman; if it doesnt work out with them, he can marry another woman. But
lets not forget that this also applies to women.
Gadir Jaafar
Anthropology
Assignment #6
March 30th, 2017
Divorce is one of the greatest things that have ever existed. Not that it is fun
to divorce, but to know that you have the right not to be with someone you dont
desire to stay with, more likely knowing that you have the freedom to do so, it is
securing. In my religion, both marriage and divorce are done with our Imam,
religiously first. Both party talk about it to the Imam and he will just have to sign the
papers and declare them divorced. Afterwards, if they live in a foreign country, they
must declare it to the government. But it is always the Imam first wherever we live.