Chapter 6: The Girl in Her Community
Summary
This chapter talks about sexual experiences by the Samoan girls. It describes that the first experience typically involved a girl with an older male. In the Samoan culture, adultery is looked down upon.
Discussion
It seems from reading this chapter that Samoans do not put too much importance into marriage, and how it seems to arise from sexual experiences. I completely disagree with the way Samoans handle this aspect of life because in my culture this is totally the opposite of acceptable behavior.
Showing posts with label Coming of Age in Samoa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coming of Age in Samoa. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Full Blog - Coming of Age in Samoa
Margaret Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa was an interesting book since I could relate to many aspects of the Samoan's lifestyle. Mead used a translator to interact with the Samoan girls to disable the disadvantage of the language barrier. The translators also gives more freedom to the native girls to express themselves. In her book Mead describes her findings of many aspects of the Samoan life and how she was able to gather the data she has.
This was a very interesting read because it kept me impressed on how many things the Samoan culture and the Mexican culture are very similar. The hierarchical roles are incredibly marked. Everything is based on how the society views certain family members. I believe it was a good ethnography book.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Book Reading # 22
Chapter 7: Formal Sex Relations
Summary
In this chapter Mead describes how young girls have evolved their sexual actions and how the boys seek sex from the girls. She explains how woman cannot be seen as a higher role than man. A girl's virginity is considered an attraction.
Discussion
Given that there are rules for everything, I was surprised when I read this chapter. It would seem to me that Samoans would be more conservative. The idea of woman not having a higher role than man is still a similar idea to the Hispanic culture so its interesting to read about.
Summary
In this chapter Mead describes how young girls have evolved their sexual actions and how the boys seek sex from the girls. She explains how woman cannot be seen as a higher role than man. A girl's virginity is considered an attraction.
Discussion
Given that there are rules for everything, I was surprised when I read this chapter. It would seem to me that Samoans would be more conservative. The idea of woman not having a higher role than man is still a similar idea to the Hispanic culture so its interesting to read about.
Book Reading # 42
Appendix III: Samoan Civilization as It Is Today
Summary
In this appendix, Mead talks about how life in Samoa has changed since her original research. The Samoan civilization has been influences by the merging European ideas. These ideas seem to inject some progression into the Samoan culture. Some of the ideas include a government system for each village, religion influences, and education.
Discussion
I think the influences described in this appendix are the classic influences Europe can have on an evolving civilization. The adaptations seem to have made life a little easier. The European lifestyle is a very interesting one because it is very flexible.
Summary
In this appendix, Mead talks about how life in Samoa has changed since her original research. The Samoan civilization has been influences by the merging European ideas. These ideas seem to inject some progression into the Samoan culture. Some of the ideas include a government system for each village, religion influences, and education.
Discussion
I think the influences described in this appendix are the classic influences Europe can have on an evolving civilization. The adaptations seem to have made life a little easier. The European lifestyle is a very interesting one because it is very flexible.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Book Reading # 36
Chapter 12: Maturity and Old Age
Summary
This chapter talks about the changes in Samoan's adults. The changes are observed when people get married and when they get old. When people get married they can live in the husbands home or the fathers home. Mead describes that even though a man's role is decrease with age, men are always battling to gain a higher role throughout their life.
Discussion
The Samoan way of marriage is definitely different than ours, since they still submit to their elders. I believe that when a couple is ready for marriage, they should already be mature in some sort of way. Let's of course ignore marriages forced by pregnancies or circumstances like that. In this chapter it is also interesting to see how the woman's role increases with age but not the man's role.
Summary
This chapter talks about the changes in Samoan's adults. The changes are observed when people get married and when they get old. When people get married they can live in the husbands home or the fathers home. Mead describes that even though a man's role is decrease with age, men are always battling to gain a higher role throughout their life.
Discussion
The Samoan way of marriage is definitely different than ours, since they still submit to their elders. I believe that when a couple is ready for marriage, they should already be mature in some sort of way. Let's of course ignore marriages forced by pregnancies or circumstances like that. In this chapter it is also interesting to see how the woman's role increases with age but not the man's role.
Book Reading # 38
Chapter 13: Our Educational Problems in the Light of Samoan
Summary
This chapter talks about the different choices young adolescents have to make. There comes a time when people have to choose if they will continue their education to become professionals, or they don't want to continue their education and just work.
Discussion
This chapter is interesting because she gives you the ability to relate everything to how the Americans go about their life. The freedom given to young people has to be tightly monitored in order to avoid them making serious mistakes.
Summary
This chapter talks about the different choices young adolescents have to make. There comes a time when people have to choose if they will continue their education to become professionals, or they don't want to continue their education and just work.
Discussion
This chapter is interesting because she gives you the ability to relate everything to how the Americans go about their life. The freedom given to young people has to be tightly monitored in order to avoid them making serious mistakes.
Book Reading # 40 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 14 : Education for Choice
Summary
This chapter talks about the things that one can learn from the Samoan lifestyle. Mead talks about the many choices adolescents have to deal with, and the key factors that lead them to act the way they do. She describes that the parents are the ones that decide how to educate their kids. She mentions that parents should educate their children to make good decisions to face all the different choices that will be presented to them.
Discussion
I agree to some extent with the belief that parents should give some freedom to their children to make decision, but not in their early adolescent years. I like the idea that parents should lead children to make their choices because that is the only way children will actually learn by making their own mistakes.
Summary
This chapter talks about the things that one can learn from the Samoan lifestyle. Mead talks about the many choices adolescents have to deal with, and the key factors that lead them to act the way they do. She describes that the parents are the ones that decide how to educate their kids. She mentions that parents should educate their children to make good decisions to face all the different choices that will be presented to them.
Discussion
I agree to some extent with the belief that parents should give some freedom to their children to make decision, but not in their early adolescent years. I like the idea that parents should lead children to make their choices because that is the only way children will actually learn by making their own mistakes.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Book Reading #33 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 11: The Girl in Conflict
Summary
The Samoans follow a very strict lifestyle. This chapter describes the two main reason why girls break away from their groups: girls want more freedom or they are considered delinquents.
Discussion
I might have mentioned this before, but these type of situations are seen in the Mexican culture as well. Girls are supposed to act a certain way and when they don't it is typically because they want to pursue more freedom by breaking away from their families. They can also break away when they start hanging out with delinquents, and soon become one. People who deviate from the norm are looked down upon.
Summary
The Samoans follow a very strict lifestyle. This chapter describes the two main reason why girls break away from their groups: girls want more freedom or they are considered delinquents.
Discussion
I might have mentioned this before, but these type of situations are seen in the Mexican culture as well. Girls are supposed to act a certain way and when they don't it is typically because they want to pursue more freedom by breaking away from their families. They can also break away when they start hanging out with delinquents, and soon become one. People who deviate from the norm are looked down upon.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Book Reading #31 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 10: The Experience and Individuality of the Average Girl
Summary
This chapter talks about the characteristics or the personality of the average Samoan girl. Mead mentions how topics that one would consider mature such as death are present in the girl's lives. It seems that the girls have to mature very early on.
Discussion
I find it interesting how the parents did not seem to want to protect their children about mature matters, that perhaps in our society a young girl could not handle. Although it sounds a little cruel, it seems to make the Samoan girls mature at an earlier age. But again, I say at an earlier age because I am comparing this to our culture.
Summary
This chapter talks about the characteristics or the personality of the average Samoan girl. Mead mentions how topics that one would consider mature such as death are present in the girl's lives. It seems that the girls have to mature very early on.
Discussion
I find it interesting how the parents did not seem to want to protect their children about mature matters, that perhaps in our society a young girl could not handle. Although it sounds a little cruel, it seems to make the Samoan girls mature at an earlier age. But again, I say at an earlier age because I am comparing this to our culture.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Book Reading #28 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 9: The Attitude of the Personality
Summary
This chapter talks about the Samoan's personality. Mead describes the musu attitude. There aren't many differences in the personality of Samoan generations. Samoans are expected to act the same as if they had a recipe. It is clear the hierarchy of the Samoans is very different than our culture.
Discussion
It seems like every chapter is kind of repetitive in some sense. Even though there are some similarities between the "old-school" Mexican families and the Samoans, I am thankful I do not belong to the Samoans. It seems like a monotonous culture and there is no room for freedom of choices or ways of life.
Summary
This chapter talks about the Samoan's personality. Mead describes the musu attitude. There aren't many differences in the personality of Samoan generations. Samoans are expected to act the same as if they had a recipe. It is clear the hierarchy of the Samoans is very different than our culture.
Discussion
It seems like every chapter is kind of repetitive in some sense. Even though there are some similarities between the "old-school" Mexican families and the Samoans, I am thankful I do not belong to the Samoans. It seems like a monotonous culture and there is no room for freedom of choices or ways of life.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Book Reading #25 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 8: The Role of the Dance
Summary
In this chapter, Mead explains the importance of dance in Samoan culture. This activity seems to be the only one where people of all age groups and gender can participate in. In dancing the children are actually the main focus. The elders sit on the back and watch the children dance. In order to stand out, every child has to dance in a unique way to impress the elders.
Discussion
This activity reminds me when I use to dance in elementary school in holidays such as mother's day. The same hierarchy existed, the elders sat on the back and every single one of us tried to dance the best to impress the elders. The only difference was that we were all dancing alike. Of course, the elders were always cheering for their own children. I can sense the nervousness the children must have felt.
Summary
In this chapter, Mead explains the importance of dance in Samoan culture. This activity seems to be the only one where people of all age groups and gender can participate in. In dancing the children are actually the main focus. The elders sit on the back and watch the children dance. In order to stand out, every child has to dance in a unique way to impress the elders.
Discussion
This activity reminds me when I use to dance in elementary school in holidays such as mother's day. The same hierarchy existed, the elders sat on the back and every single one of us tried to dance the best to impress the elders. The only difference was that we were all dancing alike. Of course, the elders were always cheering for their own children. I can sense the nervousness the children must have felt.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Book Reading #12 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 4: The Samoan Household
Summary
In this chapter, Mead describes the household hierarchy in the Samoan family. She goes on to describe that relatives are always expected to help out each other. Mead describes how there is a highest hierarchical title for both men and women. One of the well-defined titles is the matai.
Discussion
One would think that given a small civilization there would be a small amount of rules. However Mead's description of the Samoan culture, this is clearly not always true. There are many complexities in this culture. She does not clearly define relationships between families.
Summary
In this chapter, Mead describes the household hierarchy in the Samoan family. She goes on to describe that relatives are always expected to help out each other. Mead describes how there is a highest hierarchical title for both men and women. One of the well-defined titles is the matai.
Discussion
One would think that given a small civilization there would be a small amount of rules. However Mead's description of the Samoan culture, this is clearly not always true. There are many complexities in this culture. She does not clearly define relationships between families.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Book Reading #9 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 3: The Education of a Samoan Child
Summary
Mead describes the type of education that children receive from newborn to adulthood. When they are born, their mothers take care of the baby. After six months of being born, the mother no longer takes care of them and an older sibling -mainly girls- will be held with this responsibility. After one of the children starts to mature, they typically pass the responsibility of taking care of the baby to a younger sibling and start learning what adults do. Girls at this stage will learn about shores in the house, and boys about fishing, or other outdoor activities.
Discussion
I am finding this book to be extremely interesting because I can relate to some of the family traditions of the Samoans. This is not a direct family tradition, but something common to Mexico where I was raised. Although not exactly the same principle, but similar extremely similar is what rural families tend to do. The young girls start helping out with taking care of babies, learning to cook, and activities as such. The young boys start learning about what their dad does every day, and they try to perfection this skills throughout their lifes.
Summary
Mead describes the type of education that children receive from newborn to adulthood. When they are born, their mothers take care of the baby. After six months of being born, the mother no longer takes care of them and an older sibling -mainly girls- will be held with this responsibility. After one of the children starts to mature, they typically pass the responsibility of taking care of the baby to a younger sibling and start learning what adults do. Girls at this stage will learn about shores in the house, and boys about fishing, or other outdoor activities.
Discussion
I am finding this book to be extremely interesting because I can relate to some of the family traditions of the Samoans. This is not a direct family tradition, but something common to Mexico where I was raised. Although not exactly the same principle, but similar extremely similar is what rural families tend to do. The young girls start helping out with taking care of babies, learning to cook, and activities as such. The young boys start learning about what their dad does every day, and they try to perfection this skills throughout their lifes.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Book Reading # 6 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 2: The Psychology of Everyday Actions
Summary
Mead describes a regular day in the Samoan life. She describes with detail the daily activities that each family member performs from sunrise until the day is over. She describes the customs of everyone ranging from the children to the elders. In this chapter she is starting to give an idea of how this Samoan culture is.
Discussion
I think Mead does a great job describing what each group of people does during the entire day. She starts introducing some of the customs that she is observing. She is starting to observe some sort of hierarchy in the Samoan culture.
Appendix II: Methodology of this Survey
Summary
In this chapter, Mead describes that she used translator in order to interact with the Samoan girls since they did not speak English. This is an advantage as they is no language barrier in collecting information and speaking to the girls. She gathers personal information through a questionnaire.
Discussion
I think it is greatly beneficial that she is using translator to get as much information as possible through her questionnaire without having the language as a barrier. This speaks that Mead wants her acquired data to be as accurate as possible.
Appendix V: Materials Upon Which the Analysis is Based
Summary
In this chapter the data collected from the personal interviews is shown. Some of the information she collected was social and sexual interaction of each of the girls, family and the test topics Mead gave to the girls.
Discussion
I like the idea that Mead shows tables as her gathered information because tables are very pictorial way to represent the data she collected, it is an easy way for a reader to understand results. It is interesting how Mead was able to gather very personal data from the Samoan girls given that Mead was an intruder to their culture.
Summary
Mead describes a regular day in the Samoan life. She describes with detail the daily activities that each family member performs from sunrise until the day is over. She describes the customs of everyone ranging from the children to the elders. In this chapter she is starting to give an idea of how this Samoan culture is.
Discussion
I think Mead does a great job describing what each group of people does during the entire day. She starts introducing some of the customs that she is observing. She is starting to observe some sort of hierarchy in the Samoan culture.
Appendix II: Methodology of this Survey
Summary
In this chapter, Mead describes that she used translator in order to interact with the Samoan girls since they did not speak English. This is an advantage as they is no language barrier in collecting information and speaking to the girls. She gathers personal information through a questionnaire.
Discussion
I think it is greatly beneficial that she is using translator to get as much information as possible through her questionnaire without having the language as a barrier. This speaks that Mead wants her acquired data to be as accurate as possible.
Appendix V: Materials Upon Which the Analysis is Based
Summary
In this chapter the data collected from the personal interviews is shown. Some of the information she collected was social and sexual interaction of each of the girls, family and the test topics Mead gave to the girls.
Discussion
I like the idea that Mead shows tables as her gathered information because tables are very pictorial way to represent the data she collected, it is an easy way for a reader to understand results. It is interesting how Mead was able to gather very personal data from the Samoan girls given that Mead was an intruder to their culture.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Microblogs for Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 1
_____________________________________________________________
Reference:
Coming of Age in Samoa
Margaret Mead
Summary
Chapter 1 begins by analyzing the period of time called adolescence. This time is when young people start developing physical changes and rebellion against authority such as their parents is strong. Margaret tries to account for all the possible factors that could explain why people behave the way they do in adolescence. She believes the best way is to study another cultural that is primitive and completely different than ours. Margaret travels to Samoa to study the lives of fifty adolescent girls in three different towns.
Discussion
I found this article to be very interesting because I think this kind of study is still going on right now. This type of research can even be done here in the U.S. where we have many cultures to study from. The size of the family, the income the family has, and the geographic location of different ethnic groups could help us identify how people react to adolescence in the U.S. I was impressed by Margaret's writing style, it is as if she was living in today's world. I can identify myself to this topic as I grew up in a different country and can definitely see differences between adolescents in both countries.
_____________________________________________________________
Reference:
Coming of Age in Samoa
Margaret Mead
Summary
Chapter 1 begins by analyzing the period of time called adolescence. This time is when young people start developing physical changes and rebellion against authority such as their parents is strong. Margaret tries to account for all the possible factors that could explain why people behave the way they do in adolescence. She believes the best way is to study another cultural that is primitive and completely different than ours. Margaret travels to Samoa to study the lives of fifty adolescent girls in three different towns.
Discussion
I found this article to be very interesting because I think this kind of study is still going on right now. This type of research can even be done here in the U.S. where we have many cultures to study from. The size of the family, the income the family has, and the geographic location of different ethnic groups could help us identify how people react to adolescence in the U.S. I was impressed by Margaret's writing style, it is as if she was living in today's world. I can identify myself to this topic as I grew up in a different country and can definitely see differences between adolescents in both countries.
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