Cultural Relativism in the Face of the West The Plight of Women and Female Children

While the merit of universalism and cultural relativism are perennially contested, this insightful analysis argues that the human rights of women and female children are best realized through the establishment of cross-cultural human rights universals. Western universalism has been quick to dismiss alien cultural practices as dysfunctional, while cultural relativists continue to bellow the ills of cultural imperialism. Case studies on circumcision, infanticide, prostitution, and labor provide substantive contexts in which to evaluate these arguments. Billet utilizes a six-fold analytical framework to detail particular aspects of each practice and to present potential resolutions for the disparity between the extremes of Western universalism and cultural relativism.

Bret L. Billet is Professor of Political Science and Co-coordinator of the International Relations Program at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He has also taught at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University. He is the author of several books, including Investment Behavior of Multinational Corporations in Developing Areas, Modernization Theory and Economic Development, and co-author of America’s National Pastime. He has authored several articles dealing with development and democracy in the developing world.

Introduction: Universal Human Rights versus Cultural Relativism * Female Circumcision * Female Infanticide * Female Child Prostitution * Female Child Labour * Trafficking Women and Female Slave Labour * Conclusions and Implications * Bibliography * Index
Introduction: Universal Human Rights versus Cultural Relativism * Female Circumcision * Female Infanticide * Female Child Prostitution * Female Child Labour * Trafficking Women and Female Slave Labour * Conclusions and Implications * Bibliography * Index