Anthropology

The most glaring similarity between Sambian and American Sexuality and Identities as driven by culture is the practice of certain rites of passage. Although in Sambian culture, the rites of passage for men are drwan out, complicated and ritualistic, they do find reflections in the American culture and ways. In Sambian traditions, the process of turning boys into men are done with the purpose of turning feminized boys into strong warrior like men in a process known as masculization. As already pointed out, this is a long and drawn out process stretching over several stages and over many years. In the very first stage, we can see a similarity by way of isolation when boys are separated from their mothers. Although in American culture, this may come later, it still resonates with the act of leaving the house to be independent once one reaches the age of majority.A particular practice of actually bleeding the boys (Herdt, 1999)  is reflected in the bullying common in American culture some form of hazing or initiatory rites for some brotherhood.In the third stage, there is a ritual seeking out of a woman. This is also seen in American culture where a boys worth is proven by exploits and sexual conquest of dating women. Finally, the subjugation of the wife and submission to the husband is also reflective of American Patriarchal concepts that men are superior to women. The very training of women to give fellatio to their husband during their initial sexual contacts is also an evidence of how this weakerstronger sex concept is seen. The conceptual roles for women as defined in this practice also sees conterpart in most American societal behavior where womens roles are compartmentalized as either Mothers, Housekeepers, Wives and even chattels and servants to the husband, especially when it comes to sexual marital obligations.

DIFFERENCES
    The obvious difference easily identified is the homosexual nature of the initiations in the Sambian Culture (Connell, 2005). In American culture, any such contact, sexual innuendo, or even just being overly friendly with another male a sure taboo, and is being avoided at all times. The American concept of Alpha Male does not allow this kind of behavior. In fact, in a phalocentric context, any such worship of the male phallus is considered a feminine concept, with the male phallus, representing the Alpha Male. Any such person who worships or falls and gives obeisance to the male genitalia is instantly considered weak, and thus unmasculine. Any such homosexual practice is looked down upon, and is done usually to debase, dehumanize or effeminate another male. This is true with the general concept of homosexuals and homosexual activity as being a sissy, and at all times avoided. American males go to great lengths to avoid the tag and are always in defense of their macho image and sexuality.

    Although the discussion and comparison may sound simplistic and traditional, it is to be noted that even in the modern world, such double standards stil exist. It may also be argued that modernism, liberalism and individuality has also seeped into the American psyche, and that such overt machismo is dead, and the myth of the penis already debunked, it still cannot be denied that many people still believe in traditional patriarchal system. In a broader view, this can be argued and debated, but as to the limitations of this paper, it is enough to see a general concept, and is not entirely baseless. For a people who claims to be modernized and liberalized, a great number of Americans still hold on to the old concepts and notions of sexiual roles, gender insensitivity and a belief in the superiority of the male gender.