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Sworn Virgins of Northern Albania: A Functionalist and Postmodern (Feminist) Analysis and Personal Reflection

Introduction

Sworn Virgins, otherwise known as burrnesha, are women in northern Albania (and also in Kosovo and Montenegro) who take an oath of chastity and live their lives as men. The practice is rare these days, with some sources claiming that there are approximately only fewer than 102 alive today (bilefsky, 2008). Interpretations of the practice vary, with some approaches preferring a more etic and others a more emic approach. The etic or “outsider” approach in an anthropological method is the anthropologist's observations, types, explanations, and interpretations form part over local observations and categories. The etic approach recognizes that members of society are often too involved in their activities to understand their cultures objectively. relating to, or including, the research of cultural activities from the perspective of someone who is not a part of the culture being studied. A well-known theoretical perspective that aligns with the etic method is “functionalism,” particularly the kind developed by the cultural anthropologist, Bronislaw Malinowski born on April 7, 1884, and died May 16, 1942. The emic, or “insider” approach, on the other hand, are chosen from the linguistics field of study. Specifically, etic research examines cross-cultural differences, while emic research examines one culture inside its nature cross-cultural priority. relating to or denoting a method of studying or describing a language or culture that focuses on its internal elements and how they function rather than on any current external context. A well-known emic theory in anthropology is postmodern feminism, in particular as represented by the work of Judith Butler The present paper compares and contrasts these two theoretical approaches and ultimately asserts why functionalism feminism is better suited than the other to an understanding and interpretation of this cultural practice.

Functionalist and Postmodern Feminist Interpretations

Functionalism is an anthropological theory that asserts. considers culture as a whole, instead of a selection of isolated features... Anthropologists are expected to identify the different cultural structures that make up a culture, describe their social structure, and show how they contribute to a society's overall stability. Postmodern feminism, on the other hand, asserts that Postmodern feminism contains ideas of poststructuralism, postmodernism, and French feminism. The goal of postmodern feminism is to destabilize the social standards that have resulted in gender inequality in society. One way a functionalist might interpret the cultural practice of sworn virgins is It made some sense in this society since it required households without a male figure to have one. At the time when this tradition was common, women were not allowed to do anything, so these Sworn virgins took on the job. As an effect, a "Man" would step forward to provide for the family. For example, women basically "transform into men." They dress like men and therefore are able to go out into society. Another example is They care for, defend, and tend to make all of the family's decisions. This contrasts with a postmodern feminist interpretation which …. An example is…. Another example is….

Conclusion

Although both functionalism and postmodern feminism offer valid interpretations of the cultural practice known as sworn virgins, ultimately, postmodern feminism is the best suited to the task. Postmodern feminism to me is best for the task because it’s a mix of post-structuralism, postmodernism also a mix of nature and nurture. This is a mix because it destabilizes the patriarchal norms entrenched in the society so that there is leading to gender inequality. The importance is that I think that postmodern feminism doesn’t really involve just women it also involves men too because of the way they develop and show who they want to be.

Another way that a functionalist might interpret this practice is …. For example, …. Another example is …. This contrasts with the postmodern (feminist) interpretation which …. For example…. Another example is ….

The Sworn Virgins of Northern Albania: Gender, Socialization, and Personal Reflection

Empowerment and Oppression

[why it’s empowering] A(n) (functionalist) anthropologist might see the practice of sworn virgins as a way to empower women by maintaining social order in an otherwise patriarchal society. (Functionalism, as developed by Malinowski, is an anthropological theory that...) First, T;asjdlka s;ldkfj ;alskdjf ;laksjd f;lakjs df ;laksjdf ;aksjdf ;lkja sdf;lkaj sdf;lja sd;lfkj ;laksjd f;lkasjd f;lkasjd f;laksjd f;lakdsj f;laksjd f;laksjd fl;aksjd f;lkasjd f;lkajsd f;lkasjd f;laksjd f;laksjd f;lkasjd f;lkasjd Another way in which this practice might be seen as stabilizing for society and empowering for women is ….. In other words, ……...

[why it’s oppressive] Despite its empowering qualities, the practice of sworn virgins is also a form of patriarchal oppression. Indeed, a(n) (postmodern feminist) anthropologist might see the practice as…… (Postmodern feminism is a theory which asserts that …..) For

Another way in which the sworn virgin might be considered (by postmodernism feminist anthropology) to maintain male hegemony in Albanian society is…. For example, …...

[explain why you feel it’s more empowering or more oppressive] Although the cultural practice of sworn virgins is seen by (functionalist) anthropologists as a positive way for women to gain power and provide stability in their society, the evidence strongly suggests that this practice is inherently oppressive(, as evidenced from the postmodern-feminist perspective). [Explain…]

Personal Reflection on Gender Identity Construction

[introduction, definition of terms, and thesis] From a cultural anthropology perspective, gender is commonly considered to be “socially constructed” by what is referred to as “agents of socialization.” Socially constructed means a theory that has been established and embraced by the citizens of a society Class differences are a social phenomenon. An agent of socialization is The environment, ideology, peer groups, economic structures, legal systems, penal systems, language, and the media are all factors that can imprint social norms on a person. As a biological boy/girl, I was socialized to behave in certain ways by my family and by the media [choose whichever two “agents of socialization” you wish].

[1st agent of socialization] My family, for example, always taught me to

[2nd agent of socialization] Similar to family, the media was also a strong influence on my gender identity growing up. For example, the media showed me images of

Reference

bilefsky, D. A. N. (2008, June). Sworn to virginity and living as men in Albania. Sworn to Virginity and Living as Men in Albania. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/world/europe/23iht-virgins.4.13927949.html