Afghan sex practices concern U.S., British forces

[jody]

Afghan sex practices concern U.S., British forces

In late 2009, U.S. and British forces ordered a study of Pashtun male sexuality. They were worried that homosexuality and pedophilia among Afghan security forces and tribes could create cultural misunderstanding with allied troops, according to a copy of the report obtained by The Washington Examiner.
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The report described unease by U.S. Marines and British soldiers who felt they were being propositioned, or who were outraged by apparent acts of pedophilia by Afghan soldiers and police. It documented one case in which 12 of 20 Pashtun interpreters working with one U.S. Army unit had contracted gonorrhea from homosexual encounters.
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"I know Marines and soldiers who have refused to work with Afghan military or police," said one U.S. military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It's not about homosexuality as much as it is about the young boys. Some of them like to show pictures on their cell phone -- that should be illegal. Some of the Afghans have their own young boys they use for sexual purposes and we can't do anything about it."
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For a male to have sex with a boy is considered a "foible," the report said. By contrast, having sex with an "ineligible woman" would set up "issues of revenge and honor killings."
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"There is frequently the risk that Pashtun boys will face a set of experiences that mold their beliefs regarding sexuality as adults in ways that are ultimately damaging, both to themselves and to Afghan society," the report concludes. "It appears that this set of experiences becomes cyclical, affecting generations, and that this cycle that has existed long enough to affect the underpinnings of Afghan culture itself."

Perhaps "The Kite Runner" is more fact than fiction.

[Edweird]

1. Maybe we should... leave?

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Now THERE'S an idea!!!!!!!!!!

[Ozymanithrax]

2. The sister of Khaled Hosseini. the writer of "The Kite Runner" was my dentist...

The Kite Runner is about as accurate as you can get, and is a true depiction of the culture and characters writen as fiction.

[jwirr]

4. I do question one statement. Gonorrhea from homosexual encounters?

Gonorrhea is not limited to homosexual encounters. Having said that I hate the idea of forced sex on young boys (or girls) but I do not think our wars are going to change any of that.