Margaret MeadMargaret Mead

cultural differences/sex and cultural differences/sex and gendergender

Margaret Mead’s study of three primitive Margaret Mead’s study of three primitive societies in New Guinea (1935)societies in New Guinea (1935)

Mead noticed huge differences in the Mead noticed huge differences in the roles, behaviours and expectations of roles, behaviours and expectations of males and females males and females

The The Arapesh Arapesh tribetribe Males and females showed similar Males and females showed similar

behaviours behaviours Men and women were gentle and Men and women were gentle and

affectionateaffectionate Child rearing was shared equallyChild rearing was shared equally

The The MundugomorMundugomor tribe tribe Males and females showed similar Males and females showed similar

behavioursbehaviours Men and women were aggressive Men and women were aggressive

and competitiveand competitive Children and child rearing were Children and child rearing were

dislikeddisliked

The The TchambuliTchambuli tribe tribe Distinctive gender rolesDistinctive gender roles Males were dependent, and spent Males were dependent, and spent

lots of time grooming and making lots of time grooming and making craftscrafts

Women supported and managed the Women supported and managed the family and were more dominant. family and were more dominant.

Mead concluded that sex differences were cultural, not biological.However, critics say Mead exaggerated, even made up, the differences between the tribes. She later argued against some of her own ideas.

What problems are there with this What problems are there with this research?research?