Womens Intimate Friendships

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In the Article, “Women’s Intimate Friendships and Other Affairs: An Ethnographic Overview”, by Evelyn Blackwood looks at cultures and their sexual practices and compares them to the Western world. Blackwood breaks down her findings into three sections. She takes case studies from same sex relationships among women in non-Western societies and compares them to Western society. She then goes on to explore how gender differences are treated and seen in other cultures. Lastly, she goes on to argue how sexuality is not a fixed label or identity and uses two case studies to make her point. The article first talks about mummy-baby relationships within the country of Lesotho in Africa. The mummy-baby relationship is something that young girls have with older girls. This is similar to our cultures “Big Brother/Big Sister” programs where a younger child or teenager spends time with an older person who is suppose to act as their role model. The difference between the mummy-baby relationship and the Big Brother/Big Sister program is that the mummy-baby relationship is more intimate. Gifts are often exchanged and love letters are written. They are also more affectionate with one another by giving hugs and kisses. The two programs are similar in the sense that they provide a role model and an older person to give advice to the more inexperienced younger person. It’s a relief to see that the women in Lesotho embrace women’s sexuality more than other neighboring African cultures. In many African countries, women are forced into being circumcised, while in Lesotho, they are encouraged to lengthen their labia’s to appear more attractive. Women are seen as sexual people with their own needs. “Although in Lesotho men’s sexuality is represented as being dominant and assertive, certain cultural practices define women as having agency in their own sexuality.” (Page 269)

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