Control And Subversion: Gender Relations In Tajikistan (anthropology, Culture And Society)

Control and Subversion makes an important contribution to the study of Muslim societies in general, while also being a unique study of a neglected area – post-Soviet Tajikistan – a country gaining increasing importance in the international arena of Central Asia. The book presents an intimate view of this society, told through ethnographically collected life histories, unusually including men’s as well as women’s. Despite developing significant gender theories (notably reframing work of Judith Butler), and maintaining high academic standards, it remains as readable as a popular novel. Control and Subversion investigates the relationship of gender to the inner workings of social control, such as exposing ways in which Tajik society threatens men’s masculinity, thereby bringing them to force family members into conformity, irrespective of the suffering this may cause. It examines how masculine and feminine gender characteristics influence personal relationships and explores gender relations at their most intimate – from the secret musings of adolescent girls, through the painful experiences of young men, to the trauma of sexual initiation. Although largely concentrating on contemporary life, the book also discusses historical materials and Soviet influence on Tajik society. Control and Subversion is essential reading for anyone interested in Central Asia, Muslim societies, the lives of Muslim women, or gender in a Muslim context. "Control and Subversion makes an important contribution to the study of Muslim societies in general, while also being a unique study of a neglected area - post-Soviet Tajikistan - a country gaining increasing importance in the international arena of Central Asia. The book presents an intimate view of this society, told through ethnographically collected life histories, unusually including men's as well as women's. Despite developing significant gender theories (notably reframing work of Judith Butler), and maintaining high academic standards, it remains as readable as a popular novel. Control and Subversion investigates the relationship of gender to the inner workings of social control, such as exposing ways in which Tajik society threatens men's masculinity, thereby bringing them to force family members into conformity, irrespective of the suffering this may cause. It examines how masculine and feminine gender characteristics influence personal relationships and explores gender relations at their most intimate - from the secret musings of adolescent girls, through the painful experiences of young men, to the trauma of sexual initiation. Although largely concentrating on contemporary life, the book also discusses historical materials and Soviet influence on Tajik society. Control and Subversion is essential reading for anyone interested in Central Asia, Muslim societies, the lives of Muslim women, or gender in a Muslim context."--Page 4 de la couverture Extrait de la couverture : "[This document] offers a finely grained account of gender relations in a Muslim society. Focusing on a neglected area - post-Soviet Tajikistan - Colette Harris provides fascinating insights into gender issues, which are also relevant to many other Muslim societies, particularly those of the remaining Central Asian republics. [This book] presents an intimate view of this society, told through ethnographically collected life histories, unususally including men's as well as women's. Colette Harris investigates the relationship of gender to the inner workings of social control, exposing the ways in which Tajik society threatens men's masculinity, leading them to force family memebers into conformity irrespective of the suffering it causes. Harris also examines the way masculine and feminine gender characteristics influence personal relationships, and explores the most private side of gender relations - from the secret musings of adolescent girls, through the painful experiences of young men, to the trauma of sxual initiation. Although largely concentrating on contemporary life, [the book] also discusses Soviet influence on Tajik society. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Central Asia, the lives of Muslim women, or gendder in a Muslim context." Control and Subversion investigates the relationship of gender to the inner workings of social control, such as exposing ways in which post-Soviet Tajikistan society threatens men's masculinity, thereby bringing them to force family members into conformity, irrespective of the suffering this may cause. Told through ethnographically collected life histories, the book examines how masculine and feminine gender characteristics influence personal relationships and explores gender relations at their most intimate - from the secret musings of adolescent girls, through the painful experiences of young men, to the trauma of sexual initiation. Although largely concentrating on contemporary life, the book also discusses historical materials and Soviet influence on Tajik society. Control and Subversion is essential reading for anyone interested in Central Asia, Muslim societies, the lives of Muslim women, or gender in a Muslim context. Introduction: The Research Setting And Methodology -- Conceptual Background -- The Bolsheviks Attack But The Tajiks Resist -- Community Control -- Intergenerational Family Control -- The Individual Unmasked -- The Couple Relationship: Love, Sex And Marriage -- Conclusion : Control And Subversion. Colette Harris. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 188-195) And Index. Colette Harris investigates the relationship of gender to the inner workings of social control in Tajikistan. She examines how gender characteristics influence personal relationships & explores gender relations at their most intimate in this Muslim, post-communist state