Abstract
An examination of the role of the Indian woman in society. An analysis of the "Mahabharata" which goes into great depth when describing this role. The author looks at the lives of Indian women, their status, education, goals and contributions.

From the Paper
"The Mahabharata is essential for understanding human nature and the culture of India, past and present. As declared by Vyasa, "Whatever is not found in the Mahabharata cannot be found anywhere else." The Mahabharata does indeed present a complete picture of the lives of women in India, dealing with such topics as status, education, goals, marriage, achievement, family life, social life, moral codes, duty (dharma), and etiquette."

Tags:hindu, india, indian, ramayana, vedas, vishnu

Abstract
This paper examines the history of women's roles and rights throughout China's history, and the philosophical underpinnings of these roles in Confucianism and traditional Chinese belief. The author examines the changes in women's lives since the Chinese Revolution.

From the Paper
"Today, Chinese women have entered society, without necessarily walking out of the family, and so they are given more than one role in life. China is both an old country and a new country, and its expectations of women reflect that duality. For nearly 3,000 years, China was a feudal society. A new China emerged only after the establishment of the People's Republic of China, in 1949. And the country's modernization has continued in the last 15 years with the institution of economic reform and a policy of interaction with the outside world. In traditional China, marriage was the defining event of a female's life, shifting her space, affiliation and responsibility from her parents' family to her husband's. There is a common saying in China: "men tend the outside and women the inside" (nan zhu wai n zhu nei). A woman's social role was confined to the family. Her major obligation was caring for her husband, in-laws and children."

Tags:China, Mao, Zedong, rights, traditional, society, binding, of, the, feet, marriage, republic, people, men, home

Abstract
The paper discusses Yukio Mishima's short story entitled, "Patriotism," and the contrast between traditional morality and modernity in pre-World War II Japan. The paper gives a history of the Japanese feudal code and describes how traditions and the concept of honor were integrated into the militaristic government of Japan. Historical context is given to Mishima's story, and the February 26th Incident for which the story uses as its catalyst is described in great detail. The second half of the paper deals with the story itself, giving examples and quotes from the short story to prove the point that Reiko and her husband did not kill themselves due to their passionate love for one another, but instead, were forced to do so because the traditions of ancient Japan and the practices of the modern military system forced them into a situation where suicide would be the only honorable way for them to die. The paper proves the point that Mishima was attempting to demonstrate, that even a love so deep and strong as the one that Reiko and her husband shared could not flourish in the close-minded and backwards-thinking world of Japan in the early-to-mid 20th century.

From the Paper
"Takeyama chooses suicide because he knows that he cannot kill his close friends who began the uprising against the Emperor, but consequently he cannot live with himself if he disobeys his Emperor. This represents a loyalty to not just Emperor Hirohito, but also to the code of honor that the military system in Japan established in each soldier. The only honorable thing for Takeyama to do, knowing that he'll be disobeying an order from God essentially, is to kill himself and respectably declare his allegiance to the Japanese Empire in his farewell note. This strict system of ethics and morality is what has pigeonholed Reiko into making her choice to follow her husband, and Takeyama also understands that if Reiko were left alive, the shame and pressure put on her by Japanese society would be unbearable. He sees her killing herself not as just an act of dedication towards him, but as a way to free her of the burdens that would undeniably follow her if she were to live on as the widowed wife of a traitor."

Tags:samurai, Takeyama, Reiko

Abstract
This is a research and critical review of China's one child population policy. It delves into the nature of the policy, the reasons for its implementation, the benefits and draw backs of the policy and whether it has been successful or not. The author looks at the problems with the policy with special reference to the way it effects society and proposes alternatives and solutions to the policy.

From the Paper
"The Chinese population policy is approaching its silver anniversary and the contentious nature of the strategy remains. Without question the one child per family policy has changed China's demographic landscape, but many individuals still question the success and ethical nature of the implementation. These strategies have also caused new problems that the country must address. Numerous people wonder if the positive decline of population growth can offset the negative effects of the policy."

Tags:child, china, chinese, histoy, one, policy, population, family, community, society

Abstract
Using anthropologist Michael Allen's article, 'The Hindu View of Women', this essay examines the way in which Hindu beliefs shape and inform both the treatment and conceptualization of women within its religious culture. A detailed discussion of the specific religious beliefs that have influenced the treatment of women is undertaken, and a thorough case study of the Hindu practice of suttee (sati), or widow burning, is used to illustrate Allen's article.

From the Paper
"The custom of widow-burning, since first witnessed and recorded by foreigners in 316 B.C.E., has variously produced reactions of indignation, horror, admiration, disgust and pity. Early eyewitness accounts particularly exemplify these reactions and provide a wealth of information not readily available to today's anthropologist due to the decline of suttee since its illegalisation in 1829. Although such accounts are laden with methodological problems and are invariably accounted solely from the time-specific, culture-specific, white, European "male gaze," they provide an informative insight into the physical reality of suttee. One such account by the Dutch traveler Stavorinus recounts the acts of a sati on the shore of the Ganges in 1770 (quoted in Weinberger-Thomas, 1999: 97-100). From this account, several important themes emerge which can be used to expose the ideology that underpins the treatment and conceptualization of women within Hinduism."

Tags:allen, anthropology, dharma, hinduism, ideology, michael, patriarchy, religious, sati

Abstract
This essay outlines the experience of cross gendered people in both India and the West and discusses liminal aspects of cross gendered experience. The paper begins with a history of the separation of "gender" and "sex", which occurred in the latter half of the twentieth century. The use of the term "gender" as a reference for the social aspects of sex identity first occurred in the context of clinical research on intersexuality (hermaphroditism) in the 1950's. The paper then explores the issues of transgender and cross-gender in today's times, specifically focusing on India as compared to the West. The paper explains that sex and gender are currently being redefined by feminist scholars with challenges to the 'universal' sex/gender binary through cross-cultural analysis.

From the Paper
"One of the most dynamic and relevant areas in anthropology today is the field of sex and gender in anthropology, with feminist scholars redefining Western, and anthropological, sex/gender "norms" through cross-cultural analysis. "The possibility of having more than two genders was opened up by divorcing gender from sexual morphology and by associating gender rather, indeed primarily, with social role and labor tasks" (Ramet 1996: 2). While concepts of universal, male:female, sexual binaries are being called into question, cross-cultural evidence and anthropological theories are being employed in entirely new ways."

Tags:berdache, binary, oppositions, feminist, hermaphrodite, hijra, sex, sex-change, transsexual

Abstract
An assessment of some of the various anthropological explanations for cargo cults. The paper aims to reveal how the history of Melanesia itself, from colonial administration to independence, is reflected in attitudes towards and explanations of, the cargo cult phenomenon. The paper includes a number of lengthy quotes from articles related to the topic, which try to explain the origins of the cult systems and how they developed through history.

From the Paper
"Few topics in the field of anthropological study have spread across academic disciplines and, through journalism, entered into popular usage as completely as the term "cargo cult". So much so, Lindstrom (1993) contends, "from the 1950's to the 1980's, cargo cult became the orthodox term for Melanesian social movements" (Lindstrom 1993:38). Indeed there have been claims that the term is overused, even abused, with all quasi-religious cults and "native frenzies" being labeled or re-labeled cargo cults. "Nowadays, for example, many Melanesian political movements must take care to deny explicitly that they are any sort of cargo cult"."

Tags:orientalism, papua, new, guinea, png

Abstract
This paper argues that the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) has indeed affected the cultural expressions of Indonesians in many different ways, including politically. Further, the paper argues that rather than seeing this maxim as negative and oppressive it has in reality given Indonesia a unique flavour that may be savoured despite the difficulties the country has faced and despite the apparent hijacking of the motto?s cornerstone, the Pancasila (five national principles), by Suharto?s Orde Baru (New Order). It is also argued that, although there are many challenges faced by its many different cultures, the nation?s strive for unity has not meant the suppression of their individual expression.

Tags:consultation, gotong, javanese, pancasila, pki, royong, suharto, sukarno

Abstract
Childbirth is a culturally-mediated event, and this essay reflects this view. The paper includes a discussion of how ritual is significant to every society and how it varies. It shows a number of inherent differences in the ritual of childbirth between the two cultures, as well as some striking comparisons. Both women and their experiences serve as case studies in each culture. The paper discusses how these women relate to issues such as pain relief, support structures during and after birth - particularly the role of the husband/partner, surgical interventions such as Cesarean section, the importance of postnatal care and differences in emotional expression during birth.

From the Paper
"The experience of childbirth in any culture is a time of great anticipation and encompasses many different emotions, but is never simply a biological act. Childbirth in every culture around the world has been socially marked and shaped and there are quite marked differences in the ritual of childbirth from country to country. "The concept of "natural fertility" and "natural childbirth" are cultural constructs. Our lives are lived in socially independent groups guided by cultural rules." (MacCormack, 1982, p.2) Amongst other things, the ritual of childbirth may differ in where the birth occurred in the hospital or at home, the support structures provided or pain relief, and be influenced by cultural, traditional or religious beliefs. Scheper-Hughes (1987, in Davis-Floyd, 1997) and others put forward the argument that without culture, we would not have emotions, or at the very least be unable to interpret them. As such, culture is a very important factor in the analysis of the ritual of childbirth and emotion. Brigitte Jordan (1979), who many believe to be the mother of the study of childbirth, described birth as a "culturally grounded, bio-socially mediated, and interactionally achieved event." "

Tags:antenatal, anthropology, australia, babies, birth, caesarean, childbearing

Abstract
A look at Malay political culture from the perspectives of Anthony Milner. The author investigates the Malay political experiences, traditions and customs and analyzes these from the Milner's point of view that political relationships in Malay are based on leadership and support.

From the Paper
"Anthony Milner's central point in his examination of kerajaan is that the key to understanding political motivation must involve an understanding of differing political experience. European observers often saw political relationships in Malay societies as being based on accumulation and distribution of wealth, whereas to Milner the process had a deeper political motivation; to gain supporters."

Tags:politics, tradition, wealth, honor, motivation, leadership, support