Chapter 1
This first chapter sets up the rest of the ethnography. It presents to us the work done on the study of adolescence in society. The rebellion and the changes exhibited by teenagers. Margaret Mead challenges these findings stating that the studies conducted on the subjects are not controlled. Many factors go into determining the behavior of an adolescent. She continues to argue that the only issue is not the controlled variables but the variables themselves, in this case, the environment established by society. Mead presents the dilemma that all studies are on American teenagers raised in an American society with an American way of thinking. She proposes the question of what would happen if we take the American society out of the picture and instead, conduct studies on adolescence in a small, secluded, culturally different setting. The location: Samoa. In describing the cultural differences between both civilizations (America and Samoa), Mead starts on her journey in Samoa to uncover the truth behind the complexity of humans. It becomes a classic question of nature vs. nurture.
Chapter 2
This chapter summarizes the day in the life of a Samoan Village. Mead describes the average day from dawn until past midnight where it all repeats again the next morning. She describes how the village starts stirring at dawn while villagers head out to the sea to freshen up and begin their daily tasks. The younger children are drowsy and hungry while the mothers make breakfast. Later in the afternoon, when the sun is beating down on them, they retreat to their homes and rest. The more daring children go for a swim under the shade. Once the sun begins to slowly sets, life comes back to the village as the people continue with their chores. As night falls, the mood becomes lighter as families gather in their homes to eat dinner and the children and elderly are tucked away. The village slowly settles to a few whispers as the night grows.
Chapter 3
This chapter dealt with the upbringing of children and the transcendence into adulthood for Samoans. The chapter discusses the big event that goes on at birth for high ranking children. Once the child is born, everyday life continues. The child is then mostly brought up by another child, usually 6 to 7 years of age. That older child is in charge of making sure the child doesn't do anything it is supposed, including crying. Boys help bring up children too, although they are usually relive of this duty in order to go help the older boys and learn to catch fish. This is how they learn the skill and grow into adulthood. Females continue to raise a child into their teens. This is when they are sometimes relieved of this duty, for the child they were raising is now raising another. The girls then go on to learn a skill or trait. They must learn in order to be competent and knowledgeable. This will help result in marriage.
Chapter 4
The chapter focuses on the household unit of Samoa. Mead explains about the matai and the different reigns they have over a household, which can range over a span of different houses. The rank of obedience is dictated by age, not time. The older being obeyed by the younger and where the matai receives obedience from all under his household regardless of age. Taupo, princess of the household are chosen by chiefs to be adorned and emphasize the girl. Siblings being together is taboo. At about 9 or 10, the children are told to be separate and minimize interaction. It is not until old age that they may once again come together. Further detail is given about the relationships and ties people have such as those who you owe obligation. The matai are exempt from petty tasks in the household. Title, not birth is strictly observed.Rivalry also plays a big role in the hierarchy of status. Children, from the time they are small, slowly begin to creep in to the class system of the village.
Chapter 5
Until girls are about the age of 6, they have very little interactions with other children besides those in the household. At the age of 7, the children naturally begin to separate into groups according to their sex and this social stigma of intermingling with the opposite sex is enforced. The relationship in these groups was not strong. They play within the group and work at home. It is difficult for young girls when they have no girls around their age in their neighborhood to associate with. The relationships shift and change with age and sex status. The older girls continuously overlook a young girl's love life. Boys follow a simmilar situation when growing up paralleled by chiefdom and hunting tasks.
Chapter 6
This chapter explains the sexual experiences had by Samoans. A Samoan's first sexual experience is typically with someone older than them of the opposite sex. This is because of the taboo of men and women interacting with each other. Through continuous encounters, a marriage may arise from it. Adultery is frowned upon in the Samoan culture.
Chapter 7
The chapter discusses the different views on sex by the Samoan culture. Attitudes for the opposite sex is usually avoidance when they are small children. They do not interact. As they grow past puberty, this changes. There is the typical marriage route, in which a wife can never outrank her husband, Samoans take but there is also adultery and premarital affairs. Young couples usually seek out aid or some sort of ambassador. The chapter also discusses how a girl's virginity is treated much more like an accessory to add to attractiveness rather than a virtue. It not uncommon to see affairs outside marriage.
Chapter 8
This chapter introduces us to dance in the Samoan culture and its importance and impact on the people. Dance crosses all age and ex groups. IT is what gives the villagers the ability to express themselves freely. Being a bad dancer may have some negative effect as other may look down on you.
Chapter 9
This chapter focuses on exploring the personalities and attitudes of Samoans. Once a Samoan is unwilling, it is left at that and not questioned. The word used for this is "musu". Another thing Mead notices is that when A Samoan describes a person, their description usually follows a pattern of sex, age, etc. It is almost like a cookie cut-out description where just one fills in the words for the person. A lot of times when asked question "I don't know" was the answer most of the time but Mead explains this is used to protect the little privacy they do have.
Chapter 10
This chapter dwells on the life and personality of the average Samoan girl. It mostly focuses on the average girl's individuality. Mead studies and gains insight on different girls and their personality and even mentions how death and other mature topics have intruded on their lives without the parents even protecting them or comforting them. It seems the average young Samoan girl must learn to mature early on.
Chapter 11
The chapter mostly deals with girls who have broken away from the group for either one of two main reasons: they wish to have more freedom that is usually granted or are considered delinquents. The chapter then goes into further detail with the recounts of several groups of girls that fall into one of those two categories. The main difference is the conflict that arises with their families if they are delinquents.
Chapter 12
The chapter deals with the changes that occur in an adult male’s and female’s life. The 2 major changes observed were those that happen when people get married and when they get old. When people get married, they are not considered a household unit, but are still tied to their family households. With age, a man’s role is decreased while a woman’s increases due to her growing knowledge.
Chapter 13
This chapter discusses the many choices teens in our society have to make and what is expected of them. Young people have to decide whether to continue their education or if they will work or become a professional. Children begin moving out and start having choices and decisions about their life and sex life.
Chapter 14
The life of an American girl is viewed in this chapter from the view point of that girl. She tries to show the number of choices she must facing everyday life and what leads them to make decisions. She then proceeds to talk about education of these children and how parents should educate their children to face many choices.
Appendix III
This part deals with explaining how the Samoan culture has developed into what it is today. Samoans have takes all the simple parts of lives in developed countries and applied them to there own way of life. Changes in clothing, the household, and other areas have taken place. They still stay true to their roots though and depend heavily on the food they harvest. Many of them are Christian. Mead describes the influence as befitting the Samoans without any repercussions.
