I feel as if the one thing that makes each place their own ‘special and specific place’ is characterized by culture. Culture is different everywhere which means the social norms everywhere are different as well. What we might think is normal here in the US, someone from another country across the world might look at it and think it is very strange. Our social norms are characterized by our culture. An example of this would be plastic surgery here in the US. Plastic surgery is very common here. It is not uncommon to even know a friend or family member who has gotten this. If you go to a country like India or Haiti, they might not even know what plastic surgery is. They might be in shock or disbelief that this is even such a thing. This may be considered beauty here in America, but looked down upon in another country.

In the article where it talks about plastic surgery in Brazil, it is “scientifically proven that Brazil has the second highest rate of cosmetic surgery worldwide, provided in a large number of public and private clinics and hospitals, especially in the southeast” (Andrade 2010). When the patients come into the clinic or hospital, they are asked what they want the outcome to look like and what their expectations are. The majority of the women claimed that they just wanted to look “normal”. This goes to show that plastic surgery really does play a big role in women’s lives here in Brazil, and the majority of the female population will most likely end up getting work done because they want to fit in and function with society. It is shown in this reading that “the cult of the body has become a mass phenomenon and taken on an important social dimension in a society where norms and images were broadcast widely in the media” (Andrade 2010). This tells us that media plays a large role in the fact that the majority of the female population will undergo the knife at least in some point of their life. This article also explains how the groups coming in for surgery are getting younger and younger as they are getting influenced more by the media. If cosmetic surgery was outlawed abruptly, I feel like many women would go through depression because they want to change the way they look but now are unable to. On the other hand, I feel as if this might be a good ban for women in Brazil because they will learn to love their bodies and learn they are beautiful the way God created them and realize the whole idea of looking a certain way just to please others is unrealistic. 

The “ideal” fememine body of Chinese foot binding, female genital cutting and female genital plastic surgery can all be defined as different forms of milestones and beauty in each culture. Chinese foot binding is een as a beautiful thing in china and can be seen as a status symbol of being elite said  from Jao in the 12th century. Foot Binding is a cultural practice that is looked down upon here in the US. It became a symbol of what group you were a part of, and for kids, was a symbol that you were obedient towards your parents. This practice was set to end by the communists in the 1940’s. Everything revolving around chinese foot binding was changed and affected when this ended. This showed people social class should not be determined by this and that young women should be put to work.

Moving onto female genetal cutting, Apaya wrote an article that points out that we should read and educate ourselves on this practice since it is so horrifying to us but seen as a beauty statement in other cultures. The history of this female circumcision was started by the Kenyan woman which became a large issue in Kenya. There is so much outrage about this practice in the West (Africa, Iraq, Egypt, Yemen). It is shown in Egypt that female genetal cutting is related to religion. They claimed they were doing the cutting because of their religion and faith. For Americans, it is hard to believe that areas where female circumcision is a thing, the women are seen to be more beautiful. Female genetal cutting is said to help make the woman feel more ‘clean’ such as here in America, we cut and trim our hair and nails to help us feel cleaner and feel our beat.

One last practice that is done that is looked down upon in America is female genetal plastic surgery. This is really the same thing as female genital cutting but sparks more outrage from many people as they believe if a girl should not be able to get this done until she is old enough to make her own decisions. Here in America, we frown upon and are weirded out by the cultural practices in other countries. Although, look at the amount of women and young girls who have eating disorders here. That is said to be a sin and is looked down upon by other countries such as Africa. Each country and culture has their own ideas and norms of beauty, and it is important to educate ourselves about this. 

Leach, H. (2009). “The Perfect Vagina”. Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/groups/145051/videos/4704237

Ahamdu, F. (2007). Chapter 12- Ain’t I a Woman Too?. Transcultural Bodies: Female Genital Cutting in a Global Context. Rutgers University Press. 

Newland, L. (2006). Female circumcision: Muslim identities and zero tolerance policies in rural West Java. Women’s Studies International Forum. 
Ahamdu, F. (2007). Chapter 12- Ain’t I a Woman Too?. Transcultural Bodies: Female Genital Cutting in a Global Context. Rutgers University Press.