ABSTRACT
The field of applied anthropology deals with the application of anthropological knowledge to real world issues, to solve practical problems, to advocate for societies with little voice themselves, and the help shape governmental policies. Most of the applied anthropology that is done is project-specific, often mandated by governmental agencies in advance of their projects. If there is a project that is going to impact native groups, governments will hire anthropologists to work with the groups, to identify impacts, and to propose and implement migration measures. Using a “proactive approach,” some anthropologists actively seek to implement changes that they see as being beneficial or to change practices that they view as harmful. The United Nations has called for the cessation of the custom and some anthropologists are actively trying to stop it by working with groups that practice it.
