"women who become men" Albanian sworn virgins

After a work trip to Albania this spring I ordered this:

http://www.amazon.com/Women-Who-Beco...1231379&sr=8-1

Fascinating read about women who for various reasons "become" men, completely adopt their male role and are accepted and revered by society as men. Well worth the read, not least for the insight into the whole idea of gender.

And with a couple of hairraising quotes:
"Mens control of women is also outlined (in the Kanun (law)): "the parents of his wife give the groom a cartridge as protection against two acts for which a woman may be shot in the back a) for adultery; b) for betrayal of hospitality" :eek:

There was something in the newspaper a few weeks ago about families in Pakistan(?) who have no boys and have a daughter fill that role from an early age. Is this similar, or do the women chose it themselves? The book sounds like an interesting read.

Yes, that is definitely one main reason, but several of the sworn virgins in the book chose their role themselves as a preference.

Sounds interesting. Thanks for pointing it out.