The cultural impact of gendered social roles and ethnicity: Changing religious practices in Taiwan

The differential gendering of a social role in Han and Aborigine religious traditions impacted cultural content when the actual social order resulted in a person holding that role who did not match gendered expectations. The actual holder of the gendered social role of spirit medium influenced both the social rules for who could achieve that role in the future and the religious practices and meanings for which that role holder was responsible. Analysis of this case in terms of the dynamics of social power relations and cultural meanings sheds light on why gender and ethnicity are so important in shaping people's lives.