M ALE homosexuality occurs very widely, but the extent to which it becomes a social problem varies with the attitudes taken towards it by different cultures. One of these special attitudes is that which distinguishes sharply between the active homosexual and the passive. Either one or the other may be the object of strong social condemnation and hence must live as an outcaste, while the other is given a recognized role in society.Among certain American Indian tribes of the last century, the berdache or passive homosexual was protected, encouraged to adopt the social and sexual roles of women, sometimes to assume sacred responsibilities, and, less often, allowed to cultivate with social approval the lewd conduct that we attribute to professional prostitutes. His " husband " was not considered as a homosexual but merely as a man who could make no more advantageous match. The active homosexual, however, who sought young partners, was an object of contempt. On the other hand, among the contemporary Tanala of Madagascar (communication from Ralph Lint on), the passive homosexual arouses no comment at all provided he assumes the dress and occupations of a woman and eventually " marries" a man. In our own culture homosexuals have incurred disapproval whether they were active or passive; understandably enough, therefore, homosexuals are not so clearly differentiated into these two types as they are in cultures which distinguish sharply between them.In the Negro community of Bahia, in northern Brazil, unusual circumstances encourage certain of the passive homosexuals to forge a new and respected status for themselves. Both individual and social changes have resulted which are important and easy to observe; but their special interest to psychology lies in demonstrating the way in which an outcaste group has made a new adaptation by taking advantage of changed circumstances.In Brazil, condemnation of passive homosexuals puts them into the outcaste group while their partners pass unremarked 386

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract