Relatedness and Non-Heteronormative Subjectivities. Insights from Fa'afafine Experiences

Authors

  • M. Carolina Vesce University of Macerata

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14672/ada20242pp25-40

Keywords:

Samoan fa’afafine, Relatedness, Siblingship, Responsibility, Dependency

Abstract

Gender transgressions in non-Western contexts show the role of non-conforming subjectivities, both in the domestic and family sphere, as in the public sphere. For the purpose of this essay, I would like to assume a lateral perspective to focus on several re-arrangements of parental configurations engendered among Samoan fa'afafine. Basing my arguments on data collected during the fieldwork I conducted in Samoa between 2014 and 2015, I would like to show how fa'afafine retain toward their siblings the obligations and responsibilities prescribed by their assigned sex, while they take upon themselves the burden of caring as for their gender. In another respect, incorporating non-related fa'afafine in their household can rebalance the weight of certain social obligations while exacerbating others, and producing different forms of personal dependence.

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Published

2025-02-05

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Special Focus. Contemporary relationalities: Between normativity and transgressi

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