Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation
56 pages • 1-hour read
Margaret MeadComing of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation
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Book Brief
256
Book • Nonfiction
•
Psychology•
Social ScienceSamoa • 1920s
•
Coming of Age•
Education1928
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation by Margaret Mead examines the lives of Samoan adolescents, emphasizing cultural influences on their development. Mead's anthropological study explores how person-first experiences and social environments shape transitions into adulthood, offering insights into cultural variation in personal growth and identity formation.
Informative
Contemplative
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Margaret Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa offers a groundbreaking study on adolescence in a different cultural context, praised for its insights into cultural relativity and its challenge to Western norms. However, critiques highlight methodological flaws and question Mead's interpretations. Though influential, some argue its scientific rigor is lacking.
Who Should Read Coming of Age in Samoa?
A reader drawn to Coming of Age in Samoa by Margaret Mead likely enjoys anthropology and cross-cultural studies. They appreciate works like The Interpretation of Cultures by Clifford Geertz and Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, seeking insight into societal norms and human behavior within different cultures.
A German-born American anthropologist and Mead’s mentor, whose theories on cultural relativism influenced her work. He wrote the original foreword to Mead’s study, emphasizing its significance.
A New Zealand anthropologist known for critiquing Mead's findings on Samoan society, suggesting she was misled by her informants. His work sparked significant debate over the reliability of Mead’s research.
An American cultural anthropologist and the daughter of Margaret Mead, who provided reinterpretation and context for Mead's work in a 2001 edition. Her insights connect Mead’s research to broader social discussions.
An American clinical psychologist who connects Mead’s research to contemporary issues faced by adolescent girls. She draws parallels between Mead's findings and her own studies on youth development.
256
Book • Nonfiction
•
Psychology•
Social ScienceSamoa • 1920s
•
Coming of Age•
Education1928
Adult
18+ years
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