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Sex In Anthropology

Sex in Anthropology

Sex in Anthropology

Vanessa Kibble

Anthropological studies are investigations of human life as it functions in a
society. These observations are seen through the eyes of an objective
anthropologist. But even if an anthropologist is completely objective in his or
her studies, can there still be a descrepency in data due to the sex of the
person?

Over the years anthropology has evolved to an ever expanding world that has more
of a variation in thoughts and beliefs, so that all cultures are recognized and
respected. Although many changes have been made in anthropological studies, like
the introduction of cultural relativity, it seems that woman were the last to be
considered in the field, this is mostly due to the lack of them. During the late
19th century, anthropologist were know as "arm chair" anthropologist. These were
"anthropologists" who relied on merchants, missionaries, explorers, ect. as
informants for their ethnographic presents. All of the latter professions were
practiced by men only, as were the roles of anthropologists when fieldwork was
introduced. This was in turn reflected through the way that societies were
depicted and influenced.

The Trobriand Islanders are a society in Papaua New Giuenia. They are composed
of about, twelve thousand people in sixty villages. The Trobrianders have been
penetrated by outside influences for centuries and have remained considerably
unaffected, two primary displays of this is the economical structure and
politics of kinship. The economy of the Trobriand Islanders is a complex system
in which there is a separate wealth for men and women. Although both sexes have
their own capital, the women's wealth is a sign of power and is necessary for
the definition of the chief's . The Trobrianders system of kinship is based on a
matrilineal principle, in which "mother right" is demonstrated. With this system,
birth rights are obtained through the mother's social status. These aspects did
not go completely un recognized , but they were differently approach as far as
the view in which they were studied and depth.

Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski was a male anthropologist who studied the Trobrian
Islanders from 1918-1919. He established himself as a participant and an
observer, making detailed observations in a way that had never been explored
before. Despite the fact that his techniques in gathering information
revolutionized anthropological fieldwork, there is ample room for descrepency
due to ethnocen

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