Female genital mutilation (FGM) and theory of promiscuity : myths realities and prospects for change in Oworonshoki Community Lagos State Nigeria.

Abstract

Normal 0 14 false false false IT X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 This article examines the nexus between female genital mutilation (FGM) and theory of promiscuity among ever-married women in Oworonshoki community of Lagos State, Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of the study, a non-experimental research design was adopted using a cross-sectional survey research method. Findings of the study reveal that the practice of FGM is widespread in the study location. Specifically, 76.0 percent of the respondents were circumcised. Reasons adduced for the practice include reduction of female sexual urge and promiscuity (61.4%), beautification of female sexual organ (14.9%), avoidance of pre-marital sex (10.0%), and tradition/custom (3.7%). The study discovered a negative significant relationship between women’s FGM status and various sexual health indicators. There is also a negative significant relationship between women’s socio-economic status and their plan to circumcise their daughters in the future. Based on the findings of the study, there is a need for the state and non-state actors in Nigeria to redesign their strategies and enforce all existing legislations in order to eradicate the harmful traditional practices FGM among women in the study location. Lekan John OYEFARA, Senion Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: oyefara@gmail.com /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabella normale"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabella normale"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}