Coming of Age in Samoa (book)

"Coming of Age in Samoa" by Margaret Mead is an anthropological study exploring how adolescent girls in Samoan society experience maturity. Mead observed that Samoan teenagers face less pressure and stress regarding sex and independence compared to Western societies. The book highlights how cultural practices, social expectations, and community support shape youth development differently around the world. Mead’s work emphasizes that adolescence is influenced heavily by cultural context, challenging assumptions about universal human experiences and illustrating how environment and tradition impact personal growth and identity.