Human Sexuality & Original Study By Nabhey, Karim, Terik & Zak

 Margaret Mead (1935) and Bronislaw Malinowski (1929) were two of the earliest anthropologists who looked into human sexuality  One of the difficulties that anthropologists encounter is the degree of privacy in which people hold their sexual activity  Cross cultural studies of human sexuality have become more common since 80’s  There are finding a great deal of cultural variation the way sexuality is viewed, practiced and controlled  Jeffrey Weeks says diversification of sexual practices, subcultures and identities is a characteristic of our history  Eg/ Lesbian views a relationship differently than a female who is “straight” or in a heterosexual relationship  Though human sexuality is biological, it is also a cultural construct which means our sexuality has been formed partly by our cultural environment and will differ from that of someone in another culture  Eg. The Mukkuvar people of south India see female sexuality as a kind of social prosperity inseparable from fertility, whereas many socities rooted in Christianity place a high value on chastity  Eg.Similiar to Trobriand Islanders, the Ju/’hoansi view both hetero and homo sexualities as natural, but they have rules that govern this behavior Human Sexuality

Homosexuality Homosexuality is common worldwide, yet anthropologists continue to grapple with a cross- cultural understanding of the many meanings attached to it. Types: Lesbian, gay, transgender, transsexual, bisexual and so on. In Western Cultures, homosexuality is defined as the desire to have a sex relation with the same sex. But other cultures such as the Navajo, base the idea of homosexuality on gender and gender roles rather than biological sex and anatomy.

Homosexuality (Cont.) In many cultures, homosexual behaviour is considered to be natural, and often expected as well. The Etero of New Guinea prefer homosexual relations, believing sex between males and females weakens the male and should occur only for reproductive reasons. Alternative genders, or transgenders, where biological men and women do not fit into the female or male gender, have been identified in many cultures. For example: the “two spirits” which have been seen in many aboriginal groups in North America.

 The anthropological exploration of human sexuality and of homosexuality has developed into a legitimate study.  In the 19th century the Chinese sisterhood in the province of Guangdong. Chinese sisterhood movements involved thousands of women who entered into sexual relations with other women and vowed before their goddess Guan Yin never to marry a man.  Gloria Wekker closely examined sexual identity when she investigated the mati of Paramaribo, Surname. These Creole women engage in sexual relations with men and with women, either simultaneously or consecutively Homosexuality (cont.)

On her first trip to India, anthropologist Serena Nanda got the impression that arranged marriages were prosperous, so she travelled back again to further examine General rule was that the family’s reputation was upheld Since dowry was prohibited in India, extensive gift exchanges took place A bride is decided most importantly on how well she can get along with others, not just her looks Military careers have little prestige in finding a suitable bride

* The friend of Serena sees a girl for her son * She doesn’t like her and says no to her family and then Serena gets really impatient * Her friend tells her that marriage is no matter to rush through and to use the western society as an example of how they get married quickly and divorced quickly - how that would be bad for the son or daughter and for the reputation of the family. * Serena leaves India and comes back after 2 years to see her friend still hasn’t found a daughter for her son. * The main character finds the perfect girl for her son and later the two families get to know each other and finally the main character gets an invite to the wedding.

La Fin