Traditional Khmer Gender Roles
-
- 440 newbie - handle with care
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2017 6:40 pm
- Location: Austin
Traditional Khmer Gender Roles
Hello all.
I'm writing to verify something I read about 'traditional' roles in Cambodia, ones that may not persist today I don't know, what I'm curious of is whether the analogy I read rings true with modern Cambodians, or is at least something you recognize.
On another web site a woman wrote that Khmer girls are regarded 'like cotton wool', i.e. once you 'soil' or 'stain' it you can never get it back to the pure white it had been; and that Khmer boys, on the other hand, are like gems, i.e. the more polish you give them the more they shine.
Keep in mind-- I'm not advocating or passing judgment on this, I just want to know whether this analogy is common. Maybe you've never heard it. Maybe you've heard your grandparents say it. Maybe it was in a movie.
I'm just trying to determine its relative authenticity in recent Khmer history.
Thanks!
I'm writing to verify something I read about 'traditional' roles in Cambodia, ones that may not persist today I don't know, what I'm curious of is whether the analogy I read rings true with modern Cambodians, or is at least something you recognize.
On another web site a woman wrote that Khmer girls are regarded 'like cotton wool', i.e. once you 'soil' or 'stain' it you can never get it back to the pure white it had been; and that Khmer boys, on the other hand, are like gems, i.e. the more polish you give them the more they shine.
Keep in mind-- I'm not advocating or passing judgment on this, I just want to know whether this analogy is common. Maybe you've never heard it. Maybe you've heard your grandparents say it. Maybe it was in a movie.
I'm just trying to determine its relative authenticity in recent Khmer history.
Thanks!
- Playboy
- 20,000 Posts; I need professional help !
- Reactions: 288
- Posts: 24827
- Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2003 6:30 pm
- Location: Hotel K: Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha
- Contact:
It is still a fairly common mindset in the provinces, less so in Phnom Penh but not entirely so.
Everyone has heard it, it is not a Cheesy line from a movie or something, but a part of the culture here still - although as I say, a few things are changing in the capital
Sent from my SM-G928C using Tapatalk
Everyone has heard it, it is not a Cheesy line from a movie or something, but a part of the culture here still - although as I say, a few things are changing in the capital
Sent from my SM-G928C using Tapatalk
"We, the sons of John Company, have arrived"
- badboybubby
- I need professional help
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 1225
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:03 pm
- Location: getting closer
yes common and a version often found in other societies..prevalence though is more generational and as above varies with demographics..
He's been in his room 35 years...time to let him out!
-
- 440 newbie - handle with care
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2017 6:40 pm
- Location: Austin
OK, thank you playboy and badboy. It doesn't seem like much of a stretch to see similarities in Srey Kroup Leakhnak and the Catholic virgin Mary, although in the former it seems like it's about representing the Khmer family, in the latter it's more directed at the individual.
-
- Damn, I just saw my Internet Bill !
- Reactions: 3
- Posts: 4420
- Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:04 pm
The saying is women are like cloth and men like gold (not gems). A well known expression, but I'd say it really isn't true anymore, even in the provinces. Sure, the vast majority of men in the provinces will want a virgin, don't want her to do anything bad etc. But mindsets have changed dramatically since everyone from the riverside in Phnom Penh to the boonies in Prey Veng has a smart phone and Facebook.
- badboybubby
- I need professional help
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 1225
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:03 pm
- Location: getting closer
not a strech at all, both representations of virtue..Bonander wrote:OK, thank you playboy and badboy. It doesn't seem like much of a stretch to see similarities in Srey Kroup Leakhnak and the Catholic virgin Mary, although in the former it seems like it's about representing the Khmer family, in the latter it's more directed at the individual.
i think in the khmer story a significant/central part of the virtue is as it relates to the family, ie. as a provider, care giver, nurturer etc..virginity being only one part..
in the "western" story or for the catholics at least it became central..
He's been in his room 35 years...time to let him out!
- badboybubby
- I need professional help
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 1225
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:03 pm
- Location: getting closer
^^
none of us would have been here to answer..
during the 80's (vietnamese occupation) cambodia was a very different society, ie. traditional and conservative in both outlook and practice and the beginning of the shift came a few years later with the elections and UNTAC...
none of us would have been here to answer..
during the 80's (vietnamese occupation) cambodia was a very different society, ie. traditional and conservative in both outlook and practice and the beginning of the shift came a few years later with the elections and UNTAC...
He's been in his room 35 years...time to let him out!
- Jamie_Lambo
- Internet Addiction: it is real
- Reactions: 15
- Posts: 4002
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:13 pm
- Location: Pig Penh
Men are like gold and women are a white cloth
if the gold gets tainted it can be polished and be like new again, but if the white cloth gets dirty/stained, it will never be pure again
if the gold gets tainted it can be polished and be like new again, but if the white cloth gets dirty/stained, it will never be pure again
Mean Dtuk Mean Trey, Mean Loy Mean Srey
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
- ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ
- Daylight, I need Daylight !?!
- Reactions: 685
- Posts: 4715
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:42 pm
I think it still rings true.LexusSchmexus wrote:The saying is women are like cloth and men like gold (not gems). A well known expression, but I'd say it really isn't true anymore, even in the provinces. Sure, the vast majority of men in the provinces will want a virgin, don't want her to do anything bad etc. But mindsets have changed dramatically since everyone from the riverside in Phnom Penh to the boonies in Prey Veng has a smart phone and Facebook.
Probably not as strong as previous but I can still see these prevailing attitudes.
I reckon it'll be quite a few years before these attitudes are lost.
I think it is still true, even if not as strong as in the pastLexusSchmexus wrote:The saying is women are like cloth and men like gold (not gems). A well known expression, but I'd say it really isn't true anymore, even in the provinces. Sure, the vast majority of men in the provinces will want a virgin, don't want her to do anything bad etc. But mindsets have changed dramatically since everyone from the riverside in Phnom Penh to the boonies in Prey Veng has a smart phone and Facebook.
in PP maybe not so strong, but I know in PP a few 20s girls that usually dont have foreign friends, that are very conservative and "good" girls waiting for the bf to marry. These girls are educated, but coming from the province to PP and despite the pressure of the parents is there.
In the province is even stronger and I think the problem is to change the mindset of the boy's majority.
That is the reason, why so many "grey girls" have not a easy life.
- Jamie_Lambo
- Internet Addiction: it is real
- Reactions: 15
- Posts: 4002
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:13 pm
- Location: Pig Penh
i often get told im "same as Khmer man" because i tell them i dont really have any interest in a Khmer girl thats had a Barang bf before lolkhmerre wrote:LexusSchmexus wrote:
That is the reason, why so many "grey girls" have not a easy life.
Mean Dtuk Mean Trey, Mean Loy Mean Srey
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks
Why do you have any interest in a Khmer girl that had a khmer bf/husband before ?Jamie_Lambo wrote:i often get told im "same as Khmer man" because i tell them i dont really have any interest in a Khmer girl thats had a Barang bf before lolkhmerre wrote:LexusSchmexus wrote:
That is the reason, why so many "grey girls" have not a easy life.
- Playboy
- 20,000 Posts; I need professional help !
- Reactions: 288
- Posts: 24827
- Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2003 6:30 pm
- Location: Hotel K: Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha
- Contact:
They tend to have lower self-esteemkhmerre wrote:Why do you have any interest in a Khmer girl that had a khmer bf/husband before ?Jamie_Lambo wrote:i often get told im "same as Khmer man" because i tell them i dont really have any interest in a Khmer girl thats had a Barang bf before lolkhmerre wrote:LexusSchmexus wrote:
That is the reason, why so many "grey girls" have not a easy life.
Sent from my SM-G928C using Tapatalk
"We, the sons of John Company, have arrived"
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
Traditional Khmer Musical Instruments
by Playboy » Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:15 pm » in Cambodian History and Culture - 1 Replies
- 1643 Views
-
Last post by Hairy-nosed Otter
Wed Oct 21, 2020 11:00 pm
-
-
-
Traditional Khmer Musical Instruments
by Playboy » Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:17 pm » in Cambodian History and Culture - 28 Replies
- 8811 Views
-
Last post by wibblewibble
Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:07 am
-
-
- 0 Replies
- 614 Views
-
Last post by Orichá
Wed May 19, 2021 7:32 am
-
-
What Would Happen If a Khmer Punched a Khmer Shopkeeper On the Nose for Trying To Cheat Him?
by Aseriousman » Sat May 18, 2019 6:36 pm » in Cambodia Speakeasy - 30 Replies
- 13404 Views
-
Last post by RainMan
Fri May 24, 2019 1:02 pm
-