Title: Coming of Age in Samoa
Author: Margaret Mead
Editor: Harper Perennial, 1928 (1971)
Chapter 3: The Education of a Samoan Child
Summary
This chapter generalized the life of a Samoan child from birth. It described the lack of interest adults showed in children, and the fact that the older young children are supposed to take care of the younger children. Then, it discussed the differences between the upbringing of boys versus girls, such as girls having to take care of children for far longer than the boys.
Discussion
I find it interesting that birthdays are not regarded as being significant. Also, I think it is noteworthy that the author pointed out that boys have much more stress and responsibility as teenagers, while girls are allowed freedom by claiming that they are still young, and are allowed to enjoy themselves and neglect learning responsibilities for a while.
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