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=﻿Taboo=

Who can really define taboo? Generally, it's the term used by anthropologists to refer to a class of prohibitions, formal and informal, stated and unstated. When there are millions of cultures and customs around the world, who's to say what is really forbidden amoung society? Which brings up the real question, what is it that defines taboo in terms of religion,culture, and society?

The characteristics of taboo vary from different religions to different cultures. How you are raised can effect the understanding of taboo. What is taboo to some, is custom to others. To go against such customs can result in embarrassment, shame, and disrespect. To carry out the dutites of such a culture can give you a respectable social status as well as religious fulfillment.

Among the Māori anyone who had handled a corpse or taken any part in its burial is classified in the highest degree unclean and are almost cut off from socialization with his fellow-men. Death arguably is categorized as being one of the highest forms of taboo. In America, it is custom to remove vital organs to increase the duration of embalming. It is also custom to preform autopsies, investigating why or how a person died. In other cultures the idea of cutting into the deceased is considered disrespectful and taboo. In many cultures, it is disrespectful to provide a makeshift funeral. The resting place has to be a lavish celebration, and the body remains with the family until they can afford a proper ceremony. This could take years, as the body remains a display in the home.

In several countries it is legal to marry cousins and other members of the family; its just a way of life. However, it is illegal in developed countries and is considered shameful, preverted, and can result in serious prison time. Incest reflects the differences in many countries to show what is socially respectable and what is disturbing. The definition of the taboo is also different in the many countries. In Brazil incest is considered any kind of sexual interaction between two blood related humans being. It has no criminal punishment if the involved are over the age of 14, capable of acting upon their legal rights, and that consent means that the relationship is absent of any kind of coercion or fraud. An uncle or aunt is allowed to have a relationship with a nephew or niece provided that they have a health check.

Today, the Korowai are one of the very few tribes that still believe in eating human flesh as a cultural practice. The act of cannibalism is believed to have begun in the stoneage and reintroduced to America in the 1400's. Cannibalism mainly only exists in small remote tribes, for it is considered taboo in most countries while cannibalism is aso practiced as a "last resort" by people suffereing from famine the mear thought of eating another human being is repulsive and immoral. Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was an infamous American serial killer. He murdered at least 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. His murders were particularly gruesome, involving acts of necrophilia, dismemberment, cannibalism and torture. All of which would be considered taboo and also bring on embarrassment and shame.

No taboo is considered to be universal but some have argued that taboo's reveal the history of societies when other records are lacking. Taboo depends on the eyes of the beholder, what is acceptable due to religion, culture, and society. Taboo's shine a light on how judgemental people can be to other cultures. Today many taboos have lost their sting on society, but many remain against the law and highly punishable by the federal government. This was very well written and interesting. You may want to look at varying the beginning of your sentences and using more strong verbs. Other than that it was very well written and fun to read. I hope this is an okay editing job :p <3 Andrea Harlan