A good example is female genital mutilation, which is still sometimes claimed to be sanctioned by the Koran. But there is no justification whatever for female genital mutilation in Islamic practice, and countries are increasingly legislating and campaigning against it. Vibrant, vigorous cultures are capable of positive adaptation. The world changes, and cultures change with it. The need for adaptation presents itself in a sharp way when the outside world is rapidly changing.
Typical examples are urbanisation or environmental change.
Temporary or permanent contact with other cultures is also increasingly common. It is in fact a test of the resilience of a culture that it can absorb the impact of such contact. What may happen is that over time some practices that were formerly tolerated become unacceptable. For example, slavery has been a feature of many societies in the past but is now universally condemned. Similarly, dynastic or property reasons may once have dictated that families or husbands should control women s fertility.