The history of Samoan sexual conduct and the Mead-Freeman controversy

Journal/Book: Amer Anthropol. 1996; 98: 4350 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 640, Arlington, VA 22203. Amer Anthropological Assoc. 555.

Abstract: The Mead-Freeman controversy over Samoan culture-especially Samoan sexual conduct-has provoked debate for more than a decade, A key issue involves the nature of the Samoan system of institutionalized virginity. Citing historical sources, Freeman has argued that the taupou system's restrictive code of sexual behavior permeated colonial Samoan culture. Yet a rereading of many of these sources indicates that sexual conduct was less restrictive and more variable than Freeman allows. His refutation of Mead rests on the accuracy of his historical reconstruction, but the evidence does not support important parts of his interpretation.

Note: Article P Shankman, Univ Colorado, Dept Anthropol, Boulder, CO 80309 USA

Keyword(s): AGE

Zurück | Weiter