© Columbia University Press
Chopsticks Only Work in Pairs: Gender Unity and Gender Equality Among the Lahu of Southwestern China
Paper, 256 pages, 15 figs. & 1 chart
ISBN: 978-0-231-11957-3
$31.00
/ £18.00
January, 2003
Cloth, 256 pages, 15 figs. & 1 chart
ISBN: 978-0-231-11956-6
$80.00
/ £47.00
1. INTRODUCTION
Is There Any Gender-Egalitarian Society on Earth?
The Lahu People
Fieldwork Sites
Project Development and Methods
The Structure of the Book
Part I: MYTHOLOGY AND IDEOLOGY
2. "EVERYTHING COMES IN PAIRS": A DYADIC WORLDVIEW
"Both One and Two": Pairs as Dyads
Twin-Dyads in Origin Myths
Blending Femininity and Masculinity in Gendered Ideals
The Preeminence of Dyads
Conclusion
3. HUSBAND-WIFE DYADS IN THE LIFE CYCLE
Wedding as the Rite of Passage to Adulthood
The Joint Journey of Married Couples in Life
The Reunion of Accomplished Couples in Afterlife
Marginalizing Lone Souls
Conclusion
Part II: Joint Gender Roles
4."HUSBAND AND WIFE DO IT TOGETHER": UNIFYING GENDER IN LABOR
Procreation Ideologies
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Child Rearing
"Work Hard to Eat"
Conclusion
5. "MALE-FEMALE CO-HEADS": UNIFYING GENDER IN LEADERSHIP
"Male-Female Masters of the Household"
Dyadic Leadership in Village and Village Cluster
Conclusion
Part III: Structure and anti-Structure
6. UNIFYING GENDER IN KINSHIP AND INTERHOUSEHOLD ORGANIZATION
Dyadic Ego in Kinship Terminology
Household Co-heads and Inter-household Interactions
Conclusion
7. THE DISFUNCTION AND COLLAPSE OF GENDER DYADS: DIVORCE, ELOPEPMENT, AND LOVE-PACT SUICIDE
Major Threats to Husband-Wife Dyads
The Collapse of Marriages
Conclusion
8. CONCLUSION: RETHINKING GENDER EQUALITY
Gender Equality as Social Reality
The Cultural Particularity of Gender Equality
The Diversity of Gender Equality
REFERENCES CITED