Thanks for your very interesting post. Although not at all SCA related, there is a current article that might interest you on the subject of Afghan girls passing as boys and being allowed to do it. I found it quite surprising. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/world/asia/21gender.html
no subject
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/world/asia/21gender.html