WMNS 1103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Heterosexuality, Hurricane Ioke, Dominant Ideology
31 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Sexuality and gender in certain native america tribes. Female cross gender role (fcgr) in some native american (na) tribes allowed women to assume male role permanently and marry women. Previous ethnographic research on cgr has perpetuated misconceptions. Caucasian attitude towards fcgr was one of repugnance and condemnation; bc of this, berdache lived private, disguised lives. Most research focused on male berdache, little recognition of fcgr. Early western observers described them as half male half female, even tho berdache would assume social role of the other sex, not both: native gender categories confounded westerners, who equate gender w biological sex. Recognition and cultural validation of fcgr varied from tribe. As adults, they performed male duties, even fighting in battle: they never bore children; family accepted that they were nonreproductive, fcg ignored physiological functions of women and claimed identity based on performance of social role.
