Final answer:
Cultural relativism recognizes that each culture has its own values and practices that should be understood in their own context, not judged by another culture's standards. While it promotes tolerance, it does not advocate for the acceptance of practices that violate human rights, such as female genital mutilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cultural relativism is an anthropological concept that postulates that an individual's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another. This notion suggests that all cultures are worthy in their own right and are of equal value. Diversity of cultures and the different perspectives that come from inclusive cultural experiences are what make the concept a fundamental approach in the field of cultural studies and social sciences.
Indeed, cultural practices vary widely across the world, with each culture having its unique way of life. For example, the way people dress, the language they speak, and their social norms and rituals can all be starkly different. Cultural relativism encourages us to view these differences without prejudice and to approach them with an open mind.
However, there are instances where certain cultural practices can be at odds with universal human rights. For instance, practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), which occurs in some cultures, are widely criticized because they violate individual health and bodily autonomy. Although cultural relativism promotes understanding and tolerance, it does not necessarily mean that all cultural practices should be condoned or accepted, especially when they infringe on human rights.