Synopsis
Lesbianism was unknown to the pre-European Maori, or the older present generation of Maori women. It is not rare in the present generation of younger Maori women. It is postulated that in the Maori lesbianism is determined by social, cultural and environmental pressures.
This paper incorporates three studies.
(a) That of a Maori woman frigid except with European women. This condition has been termed Heterochromophobia.
(b) The evolution of lesbianism in environments impossible in earlier Maori society.
(c) The differing incidence of lesbianism in European and Maori prostitutes.
All studies support the premise that lesbianism in the Maori is culturally determined.