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The Sambia of New Guinea have a unique view of maleness and the process by which individuals move from an almost genderless state into masculinity. The initiation of boys into manhood is based in homosexual practices, and rituals require that boys shed their female qualities in order to progress as men. The comparison of the Sambian perspectives on male attributes, masculine development and on child abuse demonstrates cultural relativism and underscores significant variances in perceptions of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, including child abuse. This 5 page paper considers the evidence presented by Gilbert Herdt in his study of the Sambia, and defines the link between their practices and a global view of sexual behaviors. Bibliography lists 1 source.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_Sambia.doc
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that boys shed their female qualities in order to progress as men. The male dominated society and the definition of maleness are both components of the directive in the
society for rituals of initiation. But the specificity of the ritual demonstrates the comparison of the Sambian perspectives on male attributes, masculine development and on child abuse which demonstrates
cultural relativism and underscores significant variances in perceptions of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, including child abuse. The Sambia world view of masculinity is not linked to external cultures,
and instead is based in their social view, cultural components, and their long-standing traditions. Male dominance in the culture is common, and males actually use exaggerated avoidance of women
and all elements female to assert male domination (Herdt, 1986). It is not uncommon for men to express symbolic practices by which they cleanse themselves of elements that are
female, and through this process are able to assert their male characteristics. It is evident that like many cultures of the Eastern world, male importance in the community
defines the necessity for specific rituals, and the Sambia have argued the need to process rituals that assert male domination. The fact that insemination occurs between two men, and
that there is no role for women in this ritual is an evident statement about the distinct characteristics of the rituals supporting continued male domination. The Sambia have no
broad or global view of masculinity, and instead link their rituals and practices to the belief in male dominance and in their lasting traditions used to achieve the embodiment of
masculinity (Herdt, 1986). Many of the sexual practices of the Sambia must be considered within the specificity of their community, based on the argument that their perspectives, rituals and
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