Sexualities in Anthropology

About this book

"This thought-provoking new collection, Sexualities in Anthropology: A Reader offers insights into the diversity of human social beliefs and practices relating to sexuality in different times and in different cultures around the world. Substantial editorial introductions set each Part in context of the field, providing readers helpful background and explanatory notes. Presents a comprehensive collection of key historical and current readings in the social anthropology of sexuality Includes literature on both heterosexualities and same-sex sexualities Explores the key works and major debates of prominent scholars in the field, such as Mead, Malinowski, Newton , Herdt, and others Introduces readers to major theoretical developments ("essentialist" and "constructionist" positions)"-- "Shedding important new light on a subject as old as humanity itself, Sexualities in Anthropology: A Reader presents a comprehensive collection of historical and current readings in the social anthropology of sexuality. Succinct and revealing excerpts from key figures in the history of anthropology about sexualities, morality, and the family are featured. The most recent literature on both heterosexualities and same-sex sexualities is also included, as well as material on past and present controversies, including Derek Freeman's famous attack on Margaret Mead's writings on sexual freedom in Samoa; the notion of "primitive" promiscuity in the 19th and early 20th centuries; concerns for the practice of clitoridectomy and other forms of "genital cutting;" the discussion of homosexualities in different cultures; and the meaning of love. Thought-provoking and always fascinating, Sexualities in Anthropology: A Reader offers keen insights into the diversity of human social beliefs, practices, and interactions relating to human sexual behavior around the world"--