I recently read, but did not bookmark, an article which contained way down in the middle a reference to a relatively recent anthropological study done by a female anthropologist living among Pashtun women, about the way that Pashtun children are raised, and Pashtun family life. If anyone has the reference, I'd appreciate it if you posted it.
Essentially, Pashtun children are not expected to cooperate with each other, even within the same family, they are expected to struggle to dominate one another, from birth. They are expected to strive to establish a pecking order and constantly be fighting with one another. A Pashtun man who does not beat his wife is called "one without testicles."
If so, that probably explains a lot, doesn't it?
Here in the US, we expect our children to cooperate. Individualism is important, but teamwork is important, too. Is this one of the things that gives us an advantage in war, and in industry? My guess is yes.
I also read, and I think this was in a different article, but maybe it was the same one, that Afghans and other Moslems do not consider dogs to be suitable for companionship, and if a dog attempts to establish a companionship role in the household, it should be driven away with rocks and no food or water is to be put out for it. I have also read that one of the things the Taliban did not approve of was having dogs and cats as pets.
It seems to me that they must live very sad lives, even in the best of times. |
