Growing Up Sexually

AKHA, MEAU [MEO] (Thailand)

Index → Asia → Thailand→ Akha

Although parents practice the highest grades of discretion, parental love affairs, as those of animals, will be observed in childhood (Dorrestein, 1993:p79)[1]. Bernatzik (1947, I:p87-97)[2] speaks of an extensive freedom for unmarried youth. Infants are told about monkeys bringing babies, but older children are told the truth, at the latest in puberty. Masturbation, homosexuality and “other digressions” would not be prevalent. “Bei den jüngeren Burschen ergreifen die älteren Mädchen die Initiative durch Koketterie, die sie meisterhaft behersschen. Oft kommt es vor, daß ein Mädchen, das einem jungen Burschen Unterricht in den Liebeskünsten gib, später seine Hauptfrau wird; werden doch bei ihr am ehesten Schwangerschaftsfolgen eintreten. Ältere Burschen hingegen lassen oft die Ausbildung der jungen Mädchen angelegen sein” (p73, 87-8). Children play father-and-mother and imitate “all” adult activities (p60). This might not include coitus since the children have their own sex-segregated bedrooms (p87) after infancy. Mothers educate daughters, fathers educate sons at puberty (p72). Marriage is often established after pregnancy following a courtship pattern, though child betrothal would not be uncommon (p99).

Janssen, D. F., Growing Up Sexually. VolumeI. World Reference Atlas. 0.2 ed. 2004. Berlin: Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology

Last revised: Sept 2004