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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–2Cite as

Fa’afafine

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Definition

Samoan feminine/transgender, same-sex attracted males who are recognized as a “third” gender.

Introduction

In the Samoan language, fa’afafine means: “in the manner of a woman.” Like Samoan men, fa’afafine are biological males. However, fa’afafine do not identify as men nor do the members of their society recognize them as such. Consequently, they have been described as a type of “third” gender that is distinct from both “men” and “women.” In addition, fa’afafine differ from Samoan men in that they behave in a feminine manner. From a Western perspective, many fa’afafine would be considered effeminate males or transgender. The majority are not transsexual, however, because they do not experience dysphoria with respect to their genitals. Although it is not unusual for fa’afafine to hold certain occupations (e.g., florist) more than others (e.g., mechanic), they have no institutionalized role in Samoa.

Fa’afafine Gender, Sexuality & Social Acceptance

Individuals are recognized...

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References

  • Bartlett, N. B., & Vasey, P. L. (2006). A retrospective study of childhood gender-atypical behavior in Samoan fa’afafine. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 559–566.

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  • VanderLaan, D. P., Ren, Z., & Vasey, P. L. (2013). Male androphilia in the ancestral environment: An ethnological analysis. Human Nature, 24, 375–401.

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  • Vasey, P. L., & Bartlett, N. H. (2007). What can the Samoan fa‘afafine teach us about the Western concept of “Gender Identity Disorder in Childhood”? Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 50, 481–490.

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  • Vasey, P. L., Parker, J. L., & VanderLaan, D. P. (2014). Comparative reproductive output of androphilic and gynephilic males in Samoa. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43, 363–367.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada

    Paul Vasey

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto-Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada

    Doug VanderLaan

Authors
  1. Paul Vasey
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  2. Doug VanderLaan
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Paul Vasey or Doug VanderLaan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland Univ Dept of Psycholgy, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana Weekes-Shackelford

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  3. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Cite this entry

Vasey, P., VanderLaan, D. (2016). Fa’afafine. In: Weekes-Shackelford, V., Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_46-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_46-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

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