ABSTRACT
A collective look at key cases of international interchange that affected male–female relationships invites three evaluations. The first evaluation, and it can be brief, involves the range of contacts itself. The second seeks generalizations about the results of contact on gender, and whether any patterns emerge. The third, looking at the historical cases sequentially, asks about any trends of change over time. Some contacts seem to affect men’s and women’s behaviors rather rapidly; a case in point may be the impact of Buddhism on China, where women could use Buddhism as an outlet without disturbing fundamental gender relationships. International feminism in the 20th century pushed for new rights, but growing male—female job differentials in some societies might require a more defensive stance. Global cultural norms argue that women and men should share basic educational opportunities and voting rights and that women should be protected from distinctive forms of abuse like domestic violence and rape.
