Skip to content

[Among the Arapeh... both father and mother are held…

“[Among the Arapeh... both father and mother are held responsible for child care by the entire community...] If one comments upon a middle-aged man as good-looking, the people answer: 'Good-looking? Ye-e-e-s? But you should have seen him before he bore all those children'.” quote by Margaret Mead
Download Open image
“[Among the Arapeh... both father and mother are held responsible for child care by the entire community...] If one comments upon a middle-aged man as good-looking, the people answer: 'Good-looking? Ye-e-e-s? But you should have seen him before he bore all those children'.”

Margaret Mead

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Childcare responsibility is communal, and physical appearance is linked to reproductive history.

In simple terms: Community shares childre duties; looks reflect life stages.

Key Takeaway

Recognize communal roles and avoid superficial judgments.

Themes

family community social norms

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

anthropological educational

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • social interaction
  • health assessments

Key Concepts

anthropology cultural practices

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does communal childre affect child development?
  • What assumptions do we make about appearance?
A Different Perspective

Modern societies may individualize childcare.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Margaret Mead

Explore all 314 Margaret Mead quotes

More Answers quotes

Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes