Citation

Jiménez Ruiz I, Almansa Martínez P, Alcón Belchí C. Health Care Women Int. 2017; 38(5): 478-491.

Affiliation

Faculty of Nursing, University of Murcia , Murcia , Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07399332.2017.1289211

PMID

28151072

Abstract

FGM is internationally considered an affront on human rights and an act of violence against women and young girls. Furthermore, it hierarchizes and perpetuates inequality and denies women and girls the right to physical and psychosexual integrity. The aim of this study is to detect the weak points and false premises underlying male justification of FGM and to present demythologization as a health education tool. We used a qualitative methodology with an ethonursing focus via semi-structured individual and group interviews in 25 men associated with FGM. Our results found nine myths and their possible demythologization are presented through the masculine voices of those associated with this tradition. These myths are used as justification by men and women in order to uphold the practice of FGM. Demythologization as a nursing intervention based on reorienting or restructuring models of cultural care allows us to work against the false premises making up the myths which act to protect this tradition.

Language: en