Book Reading #15: Coming of Age in Samoa

Title:
Chapter 5: The Girl and Her Age Group

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

Summary:
This chapter shows the importance of age and relationship within an adolescent's life.  Both girls and boys form 'gangs' which provide for their social interaction.  The prime age for them to do this is between the ages of eight and twelve.  The boys are able to continue in their later years with these groups, but girls are pushed on to other tasks, leaving this possibly the only time in their lives where they can be social with people outside of their household.  Relationships are usually based upon nearness of the girls (neighboring houses) as well as age.

Discussion:
This chapter was fairly interesting because of the way it shaped the dynamic of the way a girl grows up.  I was thinking through social factors that are critical to the development of a stable person and peer relationships definitely show up.  It is unfortunate that not all girls in Samoa are able to have that.