Bacha Posh

Today the New York Times posted an eye-opening feature about the Afghan practice of disguising young girls as boys. In a society where boys are prized, these bacha posh ("dressed up as boy") girls allow families without male children to save face. They also give poor families another breadwinner.

Times reporter Jenny Noroberg interviewed a number of girls and their families about this custom and unconcealed a reality that is nearly inconceivable for westerners.

I asked Shakib if he knew any girls like this. He said that there are many in Kabul. "They do this because they prefer to dress like boys and to please their parents who have no son. Then they can say, 'Here is my son.'"

Shakib grew up with a neighbor girl in this situation. Now 18, she dresses like a woman. Shakib says that this is commonplace and didn't seem to think much of it.

The practice has nothing to do with sexual orientation but is rather a pretense born of societal pressures.

In a land where most girls are covered up and kept out of sight until they reach a marriageable age and being a boy ensures freedom of movement, employment opportunities, and other privileges, most bacha posh girls seem to welcome the opportunity to gender switch even for a short time. Wouldn't you?

Read the full story here.