Abstract
In Western populations, male gender atypicality (i.e., cross-gender behavior and identity) and male androphilia (i.e., sexual attraction to adult males) tend to cluster in particular families. Here, we examined whether this familial clustering effect extended to non-Western populations by examining the genealogical relationships of 17 Samoan transgendered androphilic males, known locally as fa’afafine, who were born in the same rural Samoan village. Specifically, we compared the genealogies of these 17 fa’afafine and those of 17 age-matched comparison males born in the same village. In addition to familial clustering, we examined birth order, sibship sex ratio, and sibship size. The fa’afafine were significantly later born than the comparison males and clustered into five and 16 distinct lineages, respectively, which constituted a statistically significant degree of family clustering among the 17 fa’afafine. Hence, the present study indicated that transgendered male androphilia is familial in this particular Samoan village, thus adding to a growing literature demonstrating that male androphilia and gender atypicality have consistent developmental correlates across populations. Discussion focused on the possible bases of this familial clustering effect and directions for future research.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank Scott Allen, Michael Bailey, Ray Blanchard, Gardenia Elisaia, Vaosa Epa, Martin Lalumière, Gaualofa Matalavea, Sarah Faletoese Su’a, Sam Pania, Paulino Pania, Sergio Pellis, Mataio Samuelu, Tyrone Laurenson, Nella Tavita-Levy, Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe, Andrew Zelinski, Erin Zelinski, the Kuka family, the National University of Samoa, the Oceania University of Medicine, the Samoan Aids Foundation, the Samoan Fa’afafine Association, the Government of Samoa, the Editor, and three anonymous referees. The authors especially thank Alatina Ioelu. This research was supported by the University of Lethbridge, by a Canada Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral Level 3) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, a Ralph Steinhauer Award of Distinction, and an American Psychological Foundation Henry David Travel Grant awarded to DPV, as well as a NSERC of Canada Grant to PLV.
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VanderLaan, D.P., Vokey, J.R. & Vasey, P.L. Is Transgendered Male Androphilia Familial in Non-Western Populations? The Case of a Samoan Village. Arch Sex Behav 42, 361–370 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-0037-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-0037-1