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Redfield (1934 [1962:p191])[1] on Maya parental sexual enlightment:
“It is regarded as
unwise and improper to explain matters of sex and procreation to children,
and no deliberate instruction in the subject is given. All the older people
think it best that children should remain ignorant of the changes of puberty,
of sexual intercourse, pregnancy and childbirth until they actually
experience these phenomena in their own persons. A phrase often used is,
“Children ought not to be where the grown-ups are”, and sexual matters are
before them covered with veils of silence and secrecy. […] this policy of
secrecy with regard to the young people is impossible of exercise in the
intimacy and simplicity of the village life. Both girls and boys, at nine and
ten years of age, begin to learn and make use of phrases and stories of
double meaning or illicit suggestion[2]. Many,
probably most, young children have understanding of the nature of sexual
intercourse. This knowledge depends upon individual circumstances. One or two
young girls of the village had no knowledge of the sexual act before their
marriage, except for the vague explanations of their mothers just before the
marriages took place[3]. But in
most cases, in spite of the policy of secrecy, because they sleep beside
their married brothers, children come early to know something of the nature
of sexual intercourse, and will sometimes joke with or ask questions of their
married elders with a view to embarrass them. It is also true that in the
context of animal husbandry sexual matters are subject to scarcely any taboo.
An entire family will gather to watch with satisfaction the impregnation of a
sow by a boar rented for the purpose. While as a rule children reach
adolescence with a strong interest in and usually a fair knowledge of sexual
intercourse, they know next to nothing about the changes of puberty or of
pregnancy and parturition. The first menstruation comes to the girl as a
surprise attended with fear. In the cases known to us the girl secreted
herself in alarm or even terror, until found by some older woman who
explained the meaning of her soiled garments, and instructed her not to speak
of it to anyone. So little do young people know of the course of
child-bearing that in many cases the young husband, as well as the wife, will
fail to suspect the first pregnancy in its early stages for what it is. Then
the girl’s mother or some older person will instruct her, or will turn her
over to the care of the midwife” (p191-2).
Redfield later (1962:p133)[4] would note stability in this
respect: “As was the case in 1931, the concern of parents over their children
is greatest in connection with marriage and first sexual relations, although
no particular age is recognized as an age of difficulty; and I do not think
that there is any concept of adolescence. […] Nothing was said to me to
suggest that any attempt is made now, as none was made before, to instruct
young people in matters of sex; some learn such matters early by observation
and chance information; others learn little about it until marriage”. Villa
Rojas (1945)[5]:
“From
the age of seven onward, differences of character and interest between the
sexes begin to be marked. […] Topics dealing with sex or reproduction are
discussed more privately, or at least such is the intention of adults, in
order that they do not come to the knowledge of children […]. Menstruation
appears between the ages of twelve and fourteen and is often regarded by the girls
as an unfortunate and unforeseen event. Generally, after it occurs, the
mother tries to reassure the girl, and in private explains to her its
significance. No ceremony or rite marks this physiological change. […] By the
time they reach adolescence, boys and girls know about sexual relations.
Married couples and unmarried members of the household occupy the same room,
and sleep in adjacent hammocks, so that children do not tremain
ignorant of sexual matters for very long” (p146).
Children are given no information about sex
prior to marriage (Nash, 1970:p113, 275)[6].
No different view is offered by Elmendorf
(1976)[7] “I didn’t think that they told their
children directly, but it seemed impossible for a child not to learn
something about it, living together in such close quarters. I had asked Anita
where she and her husband had their sexual life—in the room with the
children, or in another room”. The women considered it a sin to inform a girl
of menstruation before it occurrred, or to explain
sex before marriage (p7). Pubescent girls begin “pronounced sexual activity”
at fourteen, typically with older boys and men (p70).
None of the mentioned authors make statements
on sexual behaviour before puberty.
“The genitalia of girls are covered either by
short underpants, long huipil, or both. Boys are
allowed to run about naked or with short shirts only. By three, however, they
are fully clothed. A naked or partially exposed child of three or four is a
matter for negative comment by elders” (Press, 1975)[8]. “By the time they reach
adolescence, boys and girls know about sexual relations. Married couples and
unmarried members of the household occupy the same room, and sleep in
adjacent hammocks, so that children do not remain ignorant of sexual matters
for very long. It is a matter of great concern, however, to see that one
never exposes the sexual organs. Both sexes maintain the strictest privacy
when bathing or performing natural functions” (Villa Rojas).
Janssen,
D. F., Growing Up Sexually. VolumeI. World Reference Atlas. 0.2 ed. 2004. Berlin:
Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology
Last
revised: Sept 2004
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