Book Reading #9 - Coming of Age in Samoa

Title:
Chapter 3: The Education of a Samoan Child

Reference:
Mead, Margaret. Coming of Age in Samoa. Harper Perennial, 1928 (1971).

Summary:
This chapter discussed the informal education that Samoan children receive both male and female.  The very day of a child's birth is a very special day of celebration, however the subsequent years on this day are meaningless as the day is often forgotten.  Children are raised by other children in the family, girls "parent" until around age 9 and boys until age 6.  Discipline is not a high priority as it is usually merely words rather than reinforcement.  Girls are looked down upon until marriage, but boys help out with fishing, farming and other chores.  Boys get associated with cooperation since they are able to do these tasks where as girls are mostly secluded.

Discussion:
The most interesting part of this chapter was the lack of discipline.  I can definitely see that happening as they are raised by little children as well who want to avoid conflict and accept passivity.  Reading our other books in psychology it is interesting of how the seclusion of the girls would affect their later years.  The boys are able to join in cooperation in fishing and other activities at a fairly early age.