essay
Sexuality and social control among the Garifuna (Belize)
in her prime : a new view of middle-aged women • S. Hadley, Mass. • Published In 1985 • Pages: 86-98
By: Kerns, Virginia.
Abstract
In this article, Kerns examines how middle-aged women, who are past their childbearing years, control the sexual behavior of young women by enforcing 'rules' around the reproductive cycle. Although women are free to engage in premarital sex and do not need any kin's consent to marry, some restrictive rules do apply with regard to the reproductive cycle. For example, a menstruating woman should stay close to home. Also, a pregnant woman must stay in the home and avoid contact with strangers, and must remain faithful during pregnancy. 'Playing around' creates an uncertainty about paternity and therefore denies a child a full set of kin. In general, the rules promote female fidelity and limit contact between men and young women.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2005
- Region
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub Region
- Central America
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnographer
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2003
- Field Date
- 1974-1976
- Coverage Date
- 1974-1976
- Coverage Place
- Belize
- Notes
- Virginia Kerns
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 98)
- LCCN
- 84014671
- LCSH
- Garifuna (Caribbean people)