Their are two specific genders in the Yanomami culture, male and female. Gender is strictly defined within the culture. Normally there is no crossover of gender roles. Women are beat by their husbands if they do not perform their gender roles properly. If men do not perform their gender roles, they may be seen as unattractive by women. Children learn gender roles early on from their mothers. Biology influences this cultures gender roles. Males which are stronger, do heavier work that involves labor. Women, who are able to give birth, mainly focus on child bearing.
Women are definitely inferior to men, and do not have a choice in their family life. Their main role is to raise children, prepare meals, and keep alliances strong. They are looked at more as property, rather than somebody who is valued and cared for. Women are expected to do the cleaning, washing, and giving birth to babies, which obligates her to take care of babies. There are more men than women in the Yanomami culture, making it very important for women to have a lot of children. The women raise all of the children. At first the mother will carry her infant around in a sling. After some time, she will allow the sisters, cousins, and aunts to raise the child. Women have more regard in the culture because they offer services to their husbands, and give birth to boys for which the husband remains in debt to the family of the wife.That debt is paid until the bride's parents are alive. It has been this way for generations, and change is dealt with hatred and punishment. Little girls must learn to garden, fish, and perform other household family duties.
Males on the other hand, do not have the responsibility of taking care of the children. Fathers spend less than five minutes caring for their child. A father/males main role is to hunt, and achieve status among families. Men will sometimes take on women roles if they become to dangerous. For example, when women work in gardens, men are responsible for clearing their own gardens using the slash and burn technique. As children, boys have more freedom than the little girls do. Little boys are allowed to play rough games and run around with their bow and arrows.
References:
Professor Wesch at Kansas State University
2010 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Electronic Document
http://ksuanth.wikifoundry.com/page/Yanomano+Family, accessed July 25, 2014
K. Jumama
2012 Human Challenge: Yanomami Cultural Motifs. Electronic Document.
http://humanchallengejuju88jk.blogspot.com/2012/05/yanomamo.html, accessed July 25, 2014
Lua Diana
2012 Cultural Differences/Similarities: Yanomamo. Electronic Document.
http://culturaldifferencessimilarites.blogspot.com/2012/08/yanomamo.html, accessed July 25, 2014
I do understand that there are gender roles in every culture, but I agree and disagree with some of the cultures in the Yanomami tribe. Obviously men will be expected to take on jobs that require more strength and labor, just as women are expected to play a big part in taking care of children and the household chores. However i do not agree with that fact that the men do not take part in helping raise the child. I think it is unacceptable for a women to be beaten because she has done something wrong. I also think that while yes, children do need to be taught the norms of the society they live in, they should also have fun because they are kids. I do not agree with some things, but i do understand that this is their way of life and it is what works for them.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you, but now, the question is: do you just criticize, agree and disagree? Or since we are in cultural anthropology class, do we try to explain some of these customs, including our disagreement with traditions, under anthropology?
ReplyDeleteHow do you do that? Remember, this is a cultural anthropology class, so you need to use course content. You opinions, and personal reflection is perfectly valid, and I totally agree with you, but you need to acknowledge why yo disagree. YOu were raised with different values, in a different society, you have your own ethnocentric beliefs, as we all do, and that is why you look at it that way. If you apply cultural relativism, you can go beyond your (our) judgement, or preconceived notions, and try to understand all this. That is what I want you to write here in addition Deanna. YOu did a very good job overall this semester, and your references are really good here too. Thanks for the responsible work. Email me if you have questions, and let me know when you change this. Remember to use this course content during your presentation as well.