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The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Ways of Life
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Historical SummaryIt is remarkable that while in English and Continental literature and life there is an idealization of the virtuous woman there is also an idealization of the male seducer, and there are parallels of this among the Indians:
To all appearances, at least, virginity is held in very great esteem and extreme precaution is taken to guard the girls of the family [among the Blackfoot]. They are closely watched by their mothers and married off as soon as possible after puberty. For a girl to become pregnant is regarded as an extreme family disgrace. She will be scolded privately; but none of the family will speak of the matter in public if it can be avoided, they bearing their shame silently. No special demands are made of the copartner in her shame, the girl alone being the one held responsible. Marriage may result, but the initiative is usually left to the man, since he is not regarded as having erred or fallen into disfavor. The formal virginity tests and puberty ceremonies practiced among the Siouan tribes seem to have no place in Blackfoot society. The male lover enjoys unusual liberties. His efforts at debauchery are not only tolerated but encouraged by his family and should he lead a married woman astray is heralded as a person of promise. Thus, while great pains are taken to safeguard young girls, boys are, if anything, encouraged to break through the barriers.2
2Wissler, C.n/an/an/an/an/a, "Social Organization and Ritualistic Ceremonies of the Blackfoot Indians," Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Anth. Pap., 7: 8–9.
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Chicago:
"The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Ways of Life," The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Ways of Life in Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, ed. Thomas, William I. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1937), Original Sources, accessed July 18, 2025, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=QLCNIV56WBPAYXX.
MLA:
. "The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Ways of Life." The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Ways of Life, Vol. 7, in Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, edited by Thomas, William I., New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1937, Original Sources. 18 Jul. 2025. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=QLCNIV56WBPAYXX.
Harvard:
, 'The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Ways of Life' in The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Ways of Life. cited in 1937, Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, ed. , McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York. Original Sources, retrieved 18 July 2025, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=QLCNIV56WBPAYXX.
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