In anthropology, gender is often interpreted through the lens of colonialism. This means that anthropologists have historically used Western definitions and expectations to categorize societies into male-dominated or female-dominated cultures, failing to acknowledge the complexity and nuance of gender roles within those cultures.
More recent studies are beginning to challenge this viewpoint, using a decolonial approach to examine gender in different contexts around the world. By analyzing cultural norms and practices from an indigenous perspective, anthropologists can uncover new insights about how traditional gender systems function and contribute to the wellbeing of communities.
One example of this approach is the work of Donna Gabelnick, who studied the Inuit community in Northern Canada. She found that while Westerners might see their society as patriarchal, Inuit men and women actually play complementary roles in the hunt for food and childcare. The Inuit do not view themselves as being either male or female, but rather as having specific skills and responsibilities that they take pride in fulfilling. Similarly, Margaret Mead's research among the Samoan people revealed that although they were considered a matriarchal culture by Western standards, the reality was much more nuanced. Women held significant power and influence, but it was based on a complex system of reciprocal relationships between genders.
Another key aspect of deconstructing the colonial lens is understanding how gender intersects with other social factors such as class, race, and ethnicity.
Anthropologist Marilyn Strathern has argued that gender is not simply a binary construct of masculine/feminine, but is instead a fluid and dynamic process shaped by multiple factors. This means that the same gender roles and expectations may exist in different ways across cultures, depending on the context.
The goal of decolonizing anthropology is to move beyond simplistic stereotypes and reductive categorizations, and instead recognize the diversity and complexity of gender within global cultures. By doing so, we can better understand how gender affects individuals and communities, and create new models for addressing inequality and promoting social justice.
How can anthropological studies deconstruct the colonial lens through which traditional gender systems were misinterpreted?
In his book "The Gender Knot," Tangled Titles," Dr. Allan Johnson argues that we need to understand how historical and cultural forces have shaped our perceptions of gender roles. This means that we should not take for granted the idea that men are supposed to be strong and dominant while women are passive and submissive. He suggests that this is due to colonization by Western powers.