Full Blog: Coming of Age in Samoa



Author: Margaret Mead

Book: Coming of Age in Samoa

Summary

In this book, the author starts by giving us the historical and sociological context of her work. She then states the general state of the american youth in the United States in the post first World War era. She evokes the overall sense of unease, and the difficulty of youth in their transition through adolescence. Attempting to understand the origins of the problems, she offeres us her anthropological background, and the anthropological method which is the study of another less complex civilization to extrapolate an explanation. The civilization she decides to study are the Samoan people. In  particular the samoan adolescent girl.

She proposes to explore two main questions:

• Are the disturbances which vex our adolescents due to the nature of adolescence itself or to the civilization?
• Under differenct conditions does adolescence present a different  picture?

From then, she gives a detailed description, about her experience in Samoa, and what conclusions she draws from that experience.
The summaries of the chapters of the book can be found in my previous blog entries.  At end, she answers the questions she posed at the beginning, and we can draw from her answers, that adolescence does differ based on location, culture, and morals.

Discussion

I felt this was good exposure to an ethnographic work. When reading Mead's book, one clearly sees that she put a lot of thought into her methodology, and study approach. This reflects in the amount of detail that can be found in the book when it comes to the Samoan people. I admit I'm usually for less description with books, but given that it's part of an ethnography, I can understand the need to do a thorough study. The only thing I did not appreciate, nor understand, was the need to go into details with Samoan sex practices. That's a little invasive in my opinion. Apart from that, I'm not sure why this book invited a lot of criticism. In the context of HCI, the only thing I think Mead teaches us, is that as program designers, we sometimes need to take a step back and consider another perspective in order to understand the way we do things.

Book Reading #42 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 14:  Appendix III: Samoan Civilization as It Is Today 

Summary

In this Appendix, Mead gives a current update on Samoa (i.e. at the time her book was published). 

 Foreign government, and the influence of christianity, has changed the landscape and some of the customs of the Samoan people. Samoan culture, as a result, is a blend of tradition and european influence.

For the most part, Mead explains that this influence has benefited the Samoans and made them leave some of their primitive habits that lead to war, revenge, and the sheding of blood.

 

Discussion

In this appendix, Mead presents Samoa as a modernized place that still manages to keep its old traditions. While she was in Samoa conducting her ethnography, it seemed at times that children that went to school turned out rebellious to the customes of the community. It seems that this is no longer the case.

Book Reading #40: Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 14:  Education for Choice

Summary

In this chapter, Mead continues her assessment and comparison of Samoan and American culture.

This book mainly focused on the female adolescent, however this was to be used for her assessment of the American youth. Mead explains that, despite the differences between American and Samoan culture, we do find some similarities amongst them. 

 

With regards to education,  Mead brings back the argument about children's choices. Are there really endless possibilities for youth? Mead argues that by making kids think there are endless possibilities, this leads to a certain idealistic view of the world when the reality could be quite different. In a culture that values following suit and the trends of the time, Mead explains that parents must teach their children critical thinking.

Discussion

In chapter 14, I agreed with most of what was presented by Mead. We live today in a culture that puts al lot of emphasis on celibrities to the point where we think that their morals are unquestionnable and acceptable. I think parents must teach their kids how to think for themselves instead of being part of the heard. Celibrities come and go therefore parents should spend the most time teaching their kids what they wish to impart on them.

Book Reading #37: Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 13: Our Educational Problems in the Light of Samoan

Summary

In this chapter, Mead compares Samoan and American youth. She then reflects on what that means for America's youth, as well as the topic of Education. The upbringing of American children revolves around choices, and double standards based on their environment, says Mead. In contrast, as we've seen in the past twelve chapters, Samoan children are brought up into a set of rules, and regulations which aim to forge the role they will play in the community. Samoan children are exposed at a young age to things like life, death, and the birds and the bees. We cannot characterize a Samoan child as spoiled the way we define it in America.

When it comes to education, American children go to school with the intent to pursue their goals and aspirations. In contrast, Samoan children start work geared at making them learn the workings of the community, and how to contribute to it.

Another difference between the two cultures, is the display of affection. Samoans do not display feelings as openly as Americans do.

Discussion

In chapter 13, Mead has gathered enough data to where she can make an educated comparison between Samoans and Americans. This is an important chapter to read. Mead has been criticized for her work so this chapter helps us evaluate whether criticism is warranted. This assessment of some of the problems that exist in our culture for young people leads me to agree with Mead. I do think the American youth, nowadays, is faced with increased pressure to "assume" role in addition to less guidance on the right role to follow. 

Book Reading #35: Coming of Age in Samoa

Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 12: Maturity and Old Age

Summary

In this chapter, Mead talks about elders in the village and married couples, and what they do. Mead starts by discussing about couples' options for living either with the husband's parents, or the wife's parents. There are usually no problems with living with in-laws as they are given their due respect due to their age and position.  

Mead also talks about the different age categories with men and women. Married women of age twenty to thirty are described as industrious with usually no complaints. Men are described as in a competition to gain recognition and titles and establishing their reputation. This results in pressure on them. Titles obtained though will be eventually stripped away and given to someone younger when a man reaches the age of fifty-five or sixty. Women look forward to their first child, while men look forward to their first title.Finnally, Mead explains that the hardest workers in the village are usually the women between the age of forty-five and fifty-five.

 

 

Discussion

  

This chapter illustrates the differences between samoan and american house settings. For Samoans, it is not uncommon for a couple to go live with the husband's or the wife's parents. In the U.S. it's the exact opposite. Whenever one gets married, that usually is thought of the moment when the child would move out of the house. It is like a right of passage. The child has gained his/her independence and can demonstrate he/she can maintain their own household.

Book Reading #33 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 11: The Girl in Conflict

Summary

In this chapter, Mead talks about what happens to girls who rebel against the customs of the community and desire more freedom, and options. This rebellion has consequence and is not tolerated. Mead gives the example of two girls, Lola and Mala who get in trouble. Mead goes on to suggest that the main reason for their behaviors is lack of affection.

Discussion

This chapter follows relates the story of two girls in the community to illustrate the consequences of not sticking to tradition. When a kid rebels in the U.S., and leaves the home, depending on the child's maturity he/she may or may not make it on his/her own. It was interesting reading this chapter. 

Book Reading #31 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 10: The Experience and Individuality of the Average Girl  

Summary

In this chapter, Mead talks about the experience and individuality of the average girl. Mead begins by discussing how at a young age, children are exposed to various experiences (like death) that elders seem to consider as normal. There is at a very young age a transformation of individuality relative to one's experience. Mead then talks about multiple girls and their respective stories.

Discussion

  

This chapter was not particularly interesting to read for me. Perhaps I'm having a hard time relating this to our subject. However, as always, Mead does not fail in providing verbose detail about her interaction with the Samoan girls.

Book Reading #28 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 9: The Attitude of the Personality   

Summary

In this chapter, Mead discusses  the Samoans' view of personality. She starts by characterizing it as cautious and fatalist. She also defines the word musu. Musu means someone who is unwilling. Generally Samoans don't try to find out the reasons behind a person's feelings and attitude.  

When asked about a person's personality, the response will generally go along the lines of : "I don't know", or be descriptive on other information such as  sex, age, rank, relationship, defects and activities.

Mead also alludes to the peculiar way in which Samoans describe attitudes. They tend to be described as being either good or bad, easy or difficult.

 

Overall,  there is a lack of motivation to find out the reason why a person acts the way they act. Often, a person will not be characterized by their personality but rather by the role they should have in the community. For examples, children would be expect to obey elders, so one would not expect to ask a child: "Why are you disobeying?"

 

Discussion

  

I found this chapter interesting especially in contrast to attitudes in the west. In the west, there is emphasis on seeking help and on speaking up whenever a person is feeling a certain way (i.e depressed). It seems however, that for Samoans personality is not talked about openly, and there is more emphasis on the role one should play in the community. 

Book Reading #25 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

CHAPTER 8:  The Role of the Dance  

Summary

In this chapter, Mead discusses the role of dance in Samoan culture. It is significant because it's an activity in which all age groups participate. Until now, Mead was always talking about how boys and girls are seperated, and how relations in the community are formed. But this time, we see an activity in which all participate and can express their individuality.

Mead talks about three main styles of dancing:

 

• Dance of the taupo
•  Dance of the boys
• Dance of the jesters 

When one dances, he/she will be given criticism (positive or negative). Mead also suggests that if you know a person's personality, you can predict how he/she will dance. 

 

 

Discussion

I prefer this chapter, as opposed to the previous one that dealt with "sex" relations.

I find it interesting though that the way one may be treated depends highly on their dancing skills. I'm not sure how complex Samoan dance is, but if it is then there would be people made fun of, and criticized because they cannot dance and consequently distanced from others.  

Book Reading #22 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

Chapter 7: Formal Sex Relations

Summary

In this chapter, Mead talks about relationship dynamics between males and females. Mead explains that there are two types of sex relations outside of marriage that can occur. The first is love affairs between unmarried people and the second is adultery. In love affairs the boy has to get help via a soa, a friend who acts as ambassador between the boy and girl. Mead discusses the difficulty the boy has in choosing a soa and how getting a woman ambassador, a soafafine, is a better choice but more difficult to have. Mead also discusses the moetotolo, the sleep crawler in which a man appropriates the favours which are meant for another. Mead explains also how virginity is thought to add to a girl’s attractiveness and compares a normal girl’s sexual relationships to a taupo’s sexual relationships. Mead concludes by discussing divorce.

Discussion

The Samoan culture appears to be very libertine, and it does not seem that some relationship attitudes are taboo. I honestly don't know the aim of Mead in exposing the relationship dynamics between men and women.  

Book Reading #19 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

CHAPTER 6:  The Girl in Her Community

Summary

In this chapter, Mead starts by explaining how boys and girls don't have a social role until right after pubery. What the age of puberty is also  varies from village to village.
 Mead then goes on to distinguish between, young groups of men called the Aumaga, and that of young girls, wives of untitled men and the widows called the Aualuma.
Mead then goes on to explain certain taboos, and other roles of certain types of women when it comes to ceremonies, and community events.

Discussion

Mead provides a lot of detail, and I'm beginning to have an appreciation for the depth of her work. I'm not sure how she managed to get all of this information. I'm also starting to get a feel for how the village people organize themselves.

Book Reading #15 - Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

CHAPTER 5:  The Girl and her Age Group 

Summary
This chapter explains the complex ways in which a Samoan girl relates to the people around her. Until six years of age, there is no problem associating with other groups of children, but after then, the reality of family blood ties, relatives, and rank come into play. This restricts the interactions, a young girl will have, as she establishes her role in the village. A comparision is also made between the girls that go to school and the one that stays in the village. The girl that goes to school will likely have more friends, and consider them to the extent of being relatives. However, once back in the village, its back to customs.

Discussion

In this chapter, Mead once again does an extensive account of the way a Samoan girl's relationships will evolve as she groes up. We see that it is chiefly determined by her family situation, relatives, and rank.

Book Reading #12 - Coming of Age in Samoa

Book Author: Margaret Mead

CHAPTER 3:  The Samoan Household

Summary
In this chapter, Mead gives details of the structure of a Samoan household. At the head of each household, the central figure is a matai. These headmen hold either chiefly titles or the titles of talking chiefs.

She also explains the authority that relatives hold over children as opposed to outside villagers.

We also learn about how select girls become taupo, a cermonial princess that is chosen by the high chiefs.

She holds certain privilidges, such as being exempt from certai household tasks.

Mead depicts an elaborate method used by people who want to beg for something to the chief. The peson will sit with the chief, and display modesty, until he is asked the reason for his visit.  

Discussion

This chapter gives us a detailed depiction of how  a Samoan household is created. It is far from trivial, and as Mead explains to us, rank is very important to the Samoan household.

Book Reading #9: Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

CHAPTER 3:  The Education of a Samoan Child

Summary

This chapter starts by highlighting the importance that is given to a child's birth. The whole communitiy gets involved, and the mother must act in a way that avoids conveying stress, or pain. It is taboo for a mother to act that way. We also learn about of the Samoan's superstitious beliefs.

In the second part of this chapter, Mead goes on a lenghty, and detailed description of a Samoan girl's upbringing. She also does the same for a Samoan boy.
 .

Discussion

This chapter provides useful details about a samoan girl's upbringing, and that of a boy. I was surprised to learn that the girls that do go to school, have the same faith as other girls when they get back to their villages. Once back, they go through a training routine to eventually become married women. Men, as Mead puts it, have more pressure on themselves, because the aptitudes and skill they demonstrate determines the role they will play in the village. There is a general sense that Samoan boys and girls are trained from birth to be contributors in the village.

Book Reading #6: Coming of Age in Samoa



Book Author: Margaret Mead

CHAPTER 2:  A Day in Samoa

Summary

In this chapter Margaret Mead starts by describing some of the routine of the Samoan people when they wake up. She goes about describing many activities that go on from fishing, farming, building houses, council meetings, and others. This chapter mainly allows us to get a sense of the organization of the village, and the types of peoples and characters we can encounter: councils of old men, youths, criers that report news about surrounding villages, a chief and his councillor.

Discussion

This chapter gives us the impression of a small organized community, and we get the sense that daily activities are influenced by the time of day, and the weather. There is a hiearchy in the way things are conducted and everyone seems to have their role to contribute to the village.

Appendix II:  Methodology of this Survey

Summary
This appendix discusses Margaret Mead's study methodology. Two aspects must be considered according to her: The influence from the west, and the parents' cultural background and thoughts about how a teenager ought to act. Three groups of girls in three villages were the object of this study. One technique used by her consists in a linear study. She prefers this technique as opposed to a cross-sectional study. The way it is done is that one follows a same group of  children while they go from childhood, to adolescence, to young adults instead of studying different children, different adolescents, and generalizing their behavior.

In order to establish the Samoan people's cutural background, Mead conducted interviews, statement checking, used examples and test cases, all in the Samoan language. There was no interpreter.
Futhermore, in order to figure out the social structure of the villages, each village house was evaluated by rank, wealth, location, contiguity, age, gender, marital relationships, and other criterias.
By doing all of this, she could provide a framework under which to study the Samoan girl.

Discussion

This appendix is important because it describes Margaret Mead's study methodology, and serves the reader a way of judgin the merit of her study.

Appendix V: Materials Upon Which the Analysis is Based

Summary
This appendix describes the choice of the population to study, and how Mead had to estimate the different age groups, because of lacking birth records. She also explains how she used the very young children to learn about the dynamics between the genders.

Discussion
Mead specifically points out the methodology she used to categorize different age groups due to lack of birth records. She points out this aspect, to convey her  attempt at gathering data to the best of her ability given the situation.

Book Reading 2: Coming of Age in Samoa

Book Author: Margaret Mead

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

Summary

In this first chapter, the author sets the historical and sociological context of the book. She starts by talking about the general state of the american youth in the United States in the post first World War era. She evokes the overall sense of unease, and the difficulty of youth in their transition through adolescence. Attempting to understand the origins of the problems, she offers her anthropological background, and the anthropological method which is the study of another less complex civilization to extrapolate an explanation. The civilization she decides to study is the Samoan people. In  particular the samoan adolescent girl.

She proposes to explore two main questions:

• Are the disturbances which vex our adolescents due to the nature of adolescence itself or to the civilisation?
• Under differenct conditions does adolescence present a different  picture?

Discussion
This is a widely read book in the anthropology field that we have been assigned to read.
Reading this first chapter gave me flashbacks of the time I took ANTH 205: Peoples and Cultures of the World.  I'm eager to find out whether her study of the  samoan girl provided an explanation to the state of the american youth.