Is it normal for men to go after young women in native cultures?

I just returned from a 4 month trip up the Amazon river, staying in a number of isolated villages far from the big cities. The group was a mix of professional men and women studying various aspects of the cultures and helping with projects along the way. To get directly to the point, these native cultures have very loose attitudes regarding sexual relations with young people than we do in western society. Given the living conditions, it became obvious that many of the men, professional men and educators and scientists, took advantage of this cultural acceptance, and engaged in sexual relations with young girls, barely out of puberty. At first they generally tried to hide it or deny the nature of the acts, but after a short while it was pretty obvious, and, to be honest, even accepted by the elders of the villages as a normal part of their culture, even to the point that native men of power would offer young girls as a show of gratitude. As a woman, I am puzzled by this widespread attitude ammong men who would never touch a child in our own culture, but even beyond that, don't understand the attraction men have for young women who are physically undeveloped and naive waifs, when mature women were just as available to them. I suppose it is related to the "Lolita" phenomenon in our own culture, but is it normal for men to crave this type of sex? I noted that a number of the girls involved were half-white/half-native, obviously the result of past relations of western men in the area, and I heard more than once the comment that it was more enjoyable not to have to use a condom, although that sentiment was expressed not so gently.

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65% Normal
Based on 17 votes (11 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • BoredGuy

    its not culture, its nature

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  • I'm really not making a moral judgement, it's more of a gut feeling when I would see a middle aged man leading a little girl by the hand back to his room, and realizing what they would be doing together. The fact that it was consensual and the girl emerged smiling with a small bag of candy didn't change my reaction. I guess the question also had to do with the fact that it seems to be primarily a Male thing. At least in this circumstance I was not aware of any women going after boys, although I realize that does happen. And I'm curious about the mechanics of the coupling of a fat 50-something with a skinny little grade schooler. I guess Nature makes things match up once they are past puberty, I mean they are biologically Women.

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  • howaminotmyself

    It is hard to understand a way of life that seems inherently wrong. Westerners often view sex as something shameful. And when presented with an opportunity to explore their sexual side without taboos attached, of course many men will take advantage of the situation. The natives don't view it as wrong, it is normal to them. The "westerner" may have questionable morals, but these morals are not a part of the native mentality. It is not for us to decide what these morals are for another people.

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  • flax

    If an 8 year old (or maybe she was 10) was on the cover of French vogue recently, anything is possible. It's sickening, but obviously this element of objectification continues.

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  • MissClaire

    European Immigrants that came to Canada to settle (1600's ish) - there were so many men and not enough women that the King of England sent down what was called "the kings daughters" to procreate with the male settlers - they were barely out of puberty.
    I think that it WAS a natural thing, but as certain cultures become more 'civilized' (whatever that means anymore) more people classified as vulnerable are protected within society.
    I think that it is still ingrained in some men to a degree (maybe a primal urge kind of thing or whatever). In our society during this time, those girls that are barely out of puberty are not mentally equip to deal with that sort of thing - Native girls may have more responsibility or awareness (but I don’t really know). I personally don’t think that men should be having sexual intercourse with barely out of puberty girls - well not men from Western Society, because men from Western Society are taught that it is wrong from a very young age. They know that it is wrong and taking advantage of another culture's beliefs to justify your own guilty urges... well I guess its whatever your morals are.
    I don’t even know what to think anymore about this because child porn is so ramped in western society - are we really helping anyone?

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  • Gelmurag

    Western culture generally tends to have the attitude that it "in general" is always the way things are done. However, biologically young females are often attracted to older males. And older males to younger females. Why? Propagation of the species. Look at it like this from a biological point of view: an older man is more capable of hunting, and more capable of protecting a family. Whilst a young female is more likely to survive childbirth, and often was the case, multiple children. If you factor in longevity (males 35, females 40) having children early would generally assure a livelihood. It used to be quite common for older men (25+ based on my longevity) to engage themselves with younger girls (11+) as to not waste a period when it could be a child.

    The ancient Greeks would often engage in homosexual behavior with their children, generally around 10. The child (male and female) would often "mentor" at a house, and in doing so would become (among other things) a sexual plaything. This was quite acceptable back in the day, as the child was also learning a skill. Usually the child would be on their own around 21 and free to start their own family. This is hinted upon in the movie "Gladiator" as the king often eyes his nephew as more.

    Not doing things with kids - to put it bluntly is a recent cultural development. I'm not sure on your definition of "western culture" but when speaking of America, it was based on a puritan society, which found nearly everything to be sin and illegal. With modern medicine, longer lifespan, and easier ways of life the ages have gradually extended when it comes to mating. But take into consideration the way of life a 12 year old would have had in 1700 versus the way of life a 12 year old has now. Many would argue the 12 year old of 1700 would be more mature than a 24 year old of today. Anyway, this last paragraph is more opinion. Instinct is hard to ignore as a human though, and thats why we have people that do give in and do things with kids. But there is a stark difference between someone following biology, and someone doing it to harm/maim/torture etc.

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  • MagickWithoutTears

    Some (not all) men go after young women in any/all races and cultures.

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  • air sex water food

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