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In August 1925, Margaret Mead reached paradise. In front of 23-year-olds, a surreal landscape spreads out: turquoise of sea is picturesquely lapped by white beaches, while lush green foothills of jungle lend something mysterious to sight. Here, in this idyll, researcher wants to answer one of has come issues of anthropology: what characterizes man? His inheritance or his upbringing? Biology or culture? No place seems to be better suited than original Samoa, which has been source of civilisation.
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Thus young ethnologist from New York ventures into midst of heated nature versus nurture debate (“nature versus education”) of 1920s. Mead is a PhD student at Columbia University with Franz Boas, founder of cultural relativism, who originated in Minden, Westphalia. It considers personality of man to be shaped by society. This approach is inflexible to a powerful worldview at this time: for racial orists alone biological heritage determines human being.
Meads’s desire to influence debate through its own research is growing as she attends a meeting of British Association for Advancement of Science in Toronto in summer of 1924. She is impressed by way in which researchers are confidently supporting ethnic group y are examining. In her memories of 1972 she began to have felt longing for a “own ethnicity” for first time.
Ta ‘ u Island (American Samoa)
In 1925, Margaret Mead conducted her study on 50 local girls and young women.
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Twelve months later she reached her goal. With a scholarship of $150 a month and six cotton dresses in his luggage, Margaret Mead enters land of her dreams. At first, however, it is somewhat disappointed because, on closer examination, Samoa seems to be less original and “primitive” than hoped for from afar. The South Pacific archipelago was settled by missionaries of London Missionary Society in 1830 and is now under influence of Congregational church. In each village re are Christian churches and schools. In addition, locals prefer a simple wardrobe, which is quite ordinary for North American eyes, instead of traditional tree bark clothing.
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Neverless, population does not speak English, feeds exclusively on fishing and agriculture, and lives in simple houses, which are generally open and visible to every corner. Sufficient sun and rain ensure fertile plantations; Palm beaches, lagoons and waterfalls shape landscape. Not even poisonous animals and tropical diseases can be found here. In spite of some of smears – a garden of Eden.
This text comes from Special edition contemporary History Panorama.
With her doctor-far Boas, Mead agreed to explore puberty of young girls. She wants to find out how very cultural influences influence storm-and-urge behaviour of this phase of life. And to what extent biological assessments are responsible for unruly nature of adolescents. Is youth rebellion in blood? Or does it only defend itself against social corset?
However, young ethnologist does not have any experience with field research. Boas gave her only a half-hour introduction – and recommended to his pupil to practice patience while listening. She spends first six weeks learning Samoan language and etiquette of village community. She is a guest at a chieftain, learns traditional ceremonies and most important courtesy formulas in dealing with or leaders.
In November 1925, it moved to island of Ta ‘ u in norrnmost region of Samoa, where inhabitants of American culture still seem to be relatively untouched. For her study she chooses 50 girls and young women aged 10 to 20 years, conducts individual and group talks, studies conventions and customs. A young native helps her in evaluation of family histories and relationship constellations.
