Female Genital Mutilation: Fundamentals, Social Expectations and Change

Bicchieri, Cristina and Marini, Annalisa (2015): Female Genital Mutilation: Fundamentals, Social Expectations and Change.

Abstract

The paper studies the relationship between female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) dynamics, social expectations and fundamentals across African countries. We show that socioeconomic conditions are overall worse in countries where FGM/C is practiced. Yet when we consider the dynamics of FGM/C within countries that perform it, there is no clear link between fundamentals and the decline of the practice. We find instead that FGM/C dynamics are strongly related to social expectations and social capital. Our findings have implications for policy interventions aimed at reducing FGM/C.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Female genital mutilation; Sexual and reproductive health; Social norms
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C1 - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General > C13 - Estimation: General; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I0 - General; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z13 - Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology ; Social and Economic Stratification; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z18 - Public Policy

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