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What was the conclusion of Margaret Mead's study in Samoa?

User DarkDust
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Final answer:

Margaret Mead concluded that Samoan culture exhibited a more open and relaxed attitude towards sexuality, with adolescence being a period of freedom and experimentation rather than crisis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conclusion of Margaret Mead's study in Samoa, as presented in her influential 1928 book Coming of Age in Samoa, is that Samoan culture had a more relaxed and open attitude towards sexuality compared to Euro-American culture. Mead observed that throughout their childhood, Samoan girls witnessed a variety of bodily experiences openly. During adolescence, both boys and girls were encouraged to experiment with romantic and sexual relationships, leading to a golden age of romantic and sexual freedom, rather than the crisis often associated with adolescence in the United States.

These findings by Margaret Mead significantly influenced discussions about sexual socialization and contributed to a broader understanding of the cultural shaping of gender and sexuality. Mead's research highlighted the variability of sexual norms across cultures and challenged the notion that there is a universal way in which people experience adolescence.

User Gabriele
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