The obverse

Samoa's social acceptance of fa'afafine has evolved from the tradition of raising some boys as girls. These boys, were not necessarily homosexual, or noticeably effeminate, and they may never have felt like dressing as women. They became transvestites because they were born into families that had plenty of boys and not enough girls.

In families of all male children (or where the only daughter was too young to assist with the 'women's' work), parents would often choose one or more of their sons to help the mother. Because these boys would perform tasks that were strictly the work of women they were raised as if they were female. Although their true gender was widely known, they would usually be dressed as girls.

As they grew older, their duties would not change. They would continue performing 'women's' work, even if they eventually married (which would be to a woman).

Modern fa'afafine differ in two fundamental ways from their traditional counterparts. First, they are more likely to have chosen to live as women, and, secondly, they are more likely to be homosexual. These days, young Samoan boys who appear effeminate, or enjoy dressing as girls, may be recognised as fa'afafine by their parents. If they are, they will usually be neither encouraged nor discouraged to dress and behave as women. They will simply be allowed to follow the path they choose.

This story really touched a cord for me. Being a f...

2008-06-26T12:02:00.000-04:00

This story really touched a cord for me. Being a female in IT, I face exactly the same challenges as Hillary does, the attempt to balance between being "mannish" and being labeled as "the girl." In a way, it would almost be easier of we could be one of the guys at work, and a girl at home, but reality just doesn't work that way. I don't have a solution to this problem, though I wish I did. Maybe someday ...

Comments on Defending Pandora: Challenging Gender Order

This story really touched a cord for me. Being a f...