The Trashing of Margaret Mead : Anatomy of an Anthropological Controversy

List of Illustrations Foreword by Paul S. Boyer Acknowledgments Introduction Part 1: The Controversy and the Media 1 The Controversy in the Media 2 Selling the Controversy Part 2: Derek Freeman 3 Derek Freeman, the Critic 4 Psychoanalysis, Freeman, and Mead Part 3: Margaret Mead andComing of Age in Samoa 5 Young Margaret Mead 6 First Fieldwork in Samoa 7 Writing Coming of Age in Samoa 8 Mead's American Audience in the 1920s Part 4: Sex, Lies, and Samoans 9 What the Controversy Meant to Samoans 10 Samoan Sexual Conduct: Belief and Behavior. 11 Under the Coconut Palms12 Virginity and the History of Sex in Samoa Part 5: The Broader Issues 13 The Many Versions of the Hoaxing Hypothesis 14 The Nature-Nurture Debate and the Appeal of Freeman's Argument Conclusion Appendix: True Confessions Notes Bibliography Index. In 1928 Margaret Mead published Coming of Age in Samoa , a fascinating study of the lives of adolescent girls that transformed Mead herself into an academic celebrity. In 1983 anthropologist Derek Freeman published a scathing critique of Mead's Samoan research, badly damaging her reputation. Resonating beyond academic circles, his case against Mead tapped into important public concerns of the 1980s, including sexual permissiveness, cultural relativism, and the nature/nurture debate. In venues from the New York Times to the TV show Donahue , Freeman argued that Mead had been "hoaxed" by Samoans whose innocent lies she took at face value. In The Trashing of Margaret Mead , Paul Shankman explores the many dimensions of the Mead-Freeman controversy as it developed publicly and as it played out privately, including the personal relationships, professional rivalries, and larger-than-life personalities that drove it. Providing a critical perspective on Freeman's arguments, Shankman reviews key questions about Samoan sexuality, the alleged hoaxing of Mead, and the meaning of the controversy. Why were Freeman's arguments so readily accepted by pundits outside the field of anthropology? What did Samoans themselves think? Can Mead's reputation be salvaged from the quicksand of controversy? Written in an engaging, clear style and based on a careful review of the evidence, The Trashing of Margaret Mead illuminates questions of enduring significance to the academy and beyond. 2010 Distinguished Lecturer in Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History " The Trashing of Margaret Mead reminds readers of the pitfalls of academia. It urges scholars to avoid personal attacks and to engage in healthy debate. The book redeems Mead while also redeeming the field of anthropology. By showing the uniqueness of the Mead-Freeman case, Shankman places his continued confidence in academia, scholars, and the field of anthropology."— H-Net Reviews 4e de couv. : In 1928 Margaret Mead published "Coming of Age in Samoa", a fascinating study of the lives of adolescent girls that transformed Mead herself into an academic celebrity. In 1983 anthropologist Derek Freeman published a scathing critique of Mead's Samoan research, badly damaging her reputation. Resonating beyond academic circles, his case against Mead tapped into important public concerns of the 1980s, including sexual permissiveness, cultural relativism, and the nature/nurture debate. In venues from the New York Times to the TV show Donahue, Freeman argued that Mead had been "hoaxed" by Samoans whose innocent lies she took at face value. Paul Shankman explores the many dimensions of the Mead-Freeman controversy as it developed publicly and as it played out privately, including the personal relationships, professional rivalries, and larger-than-life personalities that drove it. Providing a critical perspective on Freeman's arguments, Shankman reviews key questions about Samoan sexuality, the alleged hoaxing of Mead, and the meaning of the controversy. Why were Freeman's arguments so readily accepted by pundits outside the field of anthropology? What did Samoans themselves think? Can Mead's reputation be salvaged from the quicksand of controversy? Written in an engaging, clear style and based on a careful review of the evidence, this book illuminates questions of enduring significance to the academy and beyond In The Trashing Of Margaret Mead, Paul Shankman Explores The Many Dimensions Of The Mead-freeman Controversy As It Developed Publicly And As It Played Out Privately, Including The Personal Relationships, Professional Rivalries, And Larger-than-life Personalities That Drove It.--back Cover. Part I. The Controversy And The Media : The Controversy In The Media -- Selling The Controversy -- Part Ii. Derek Freeman : Derek Freeman, The Critic -- Psychoanalysis, Freeman, And Mead -- Part Iii. Margaret Mead And Coming Of Age In Samoa : Young Margaret Mead -- First Fieldwork In Samoa -- Writing Coming Of Age In Samoa -- Mead's American Audience In The 1920s -- Part Iv. Sex, Lies, And Samoans : What The Controversy Meant To The Samoans -- Samoan Sexual Conduct: Belief And Behavior -- Under The Coconut Palms -- Virginity And The History Of Sex In Samoa -- Part V. The Broader Issues : The Many Visions Of The Hoaxing Hypothesis -- The Nature-nurture Debate And The Appeal Of Freeman's Argument -- Conclusion -- Appendix: True Confessions. Paul Shankman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 271-288) And Index. Explores the dimensions of the Mead-Freeman controversy as it developed publicly and as it played out privately, including the personal relationships, professional rivalries, and larger-than-life personalities that drove it. This book reviews key questions about Samoan sexuality, the alleged hoaxing of Mead, and the meaning of the controversy.