Culture and Women's Sexualities

Abstract

Anthropological studies of women's same-sex relations in non-Western societies provide an important source for theorizing women's sexuality because they allow us to go beyond a narrow focus on Western cultures and concepts. Looking at studies from groups other than the dominant societies of Europe and America, I explore the diversity of women's sexualities and the sociocultural factors that produce sexual beliefs and practices. This article argues that sexual practices take their meaning from particular cultures and their beliefs about the self and the world. Cultural systems of gender, in particular, construct different sexual beliefs and practices for men and women. I conclude the article by suggesting some broad patterns at work in the production of women's sexualities across cultures.This article explores women's sexuality from a cultural anthropology perspective. Anthropological evidence constitutes an important source for theorizing women's sexuality because it allows us to go beyond a sometimes narrow focus on the sexual categories of the dominant White societies of Europe and America (these groups will be glossed as "Western"). From a Western viewpoint, sexuality constitutes an essential or core attribute of identity; individuals are said to have fixed sexual identities or orientations. Sexuality as it is understood in the United States and Europe, however, often bears little resemblance to sexual relationships and practices across cultures. By looking at cultural evidence from ethnic groups and countries other than the dominant White societies of Europe and America, I

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR ARTICLE Rethinking women's sexual orientation: An interdisciplinary, relationship‐focused approach

“…Female lovers provide not only sexual companionship but also reciprocal aid in raising children, financial assistance, and support in coping with everyday concerns. Patterns of socially recognized "bond friendship" were also reported among the Azande in Africa (e.g., Blackwood, 2000). These friendships were both economic and social in nature, involving the exchange of goods and services but also emotional and sometimes erotic ties between women.…”

“…In nineteenth-century China, marriages were arranged and often oppressive to women (Blackwood, 2000). A new bride went to live with her husband's family and was supervised by her mother-in-law.…”

“…In Guandon province, marriage was especially frightening to women because it meant moving from their own village into enemy territory. Beginning in the mid-l800s, the establishment of silk factories permitted thousands of young women to avoid marriage and gain financial self-sufficiency as silk workers (Blackwood, 2000;Sankar, 1986). These women formed social institutions known as "sisterhoods."…”

Gênero, sexualidade e diversidade na escola a partir da perspectiva de professores/as

“…As formas como homens e mulheres vivenciam e dão sentido à sua sexualidade é mediada, de forma importante, pelas crenças, valores e práti-cas culturais orientados pelas questões de gênero (Blackwood, 2000). Em termos de formação de professores/as, é necessário considerar a dimensão motivacional e integrarmos sexualidade e gênero.…”

An Integrative Paradigm

“…In Lesotho, southern Africa, relational and sexual intimacy between adolescent females ('mummy-baby relations') is common [Gay, 1986], and there exists an institutionalized sexual relationship between a married woman and her motsoalle (an unmarried close female friend) [Kendall, 1999]. Blackwood [2000] reviewed the numerous examples of same-sex relations between women across cultures, including sexual 'sisterhoods' in nineteenth-century China [e.g., Sankar, 1986], adolescent same-sex play among the !Kung of southern Africa [Shostak, 1983], and the erotic attachments to both women and men of Creole women in South America [Wekker, 1999; see also Blackwood & Wieringa, 1999]. These examples of diversity in the social meaning of same-sex relations reveal the cultural relativity of human sexuality.…”