Parenting Quote by Howard Zinn
““Before this, the Cherokees had, like Indian tribes in general, done without formal government. As Van Every puts it: The foundation principle of Indian government had always been the rejection of government. The freedom of the individual was regarded by practically all Indians north of Mexico as a canon infinitely more precious than the individual’s duty to his community or nation. This anarchistic attitude ruled all behavior, beginning with the smallest social unit, the family. The Indian parent was constitutionally reluctant to discipline his children. Their every exhibition of self-will was accepted as a favorable indication of the development of maturing character. . . .””
About This Quote
Source Book: A People's History of the United States, 1980
Traditional Native American societies valued individual freedom over formal governance, fostering self‑reliance and minimal discipline.
In simple terms: Indians prized personal liberty over government.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the value of individual autonomy.
Themes
freedom
individualism
government
anarchism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
historical
Type
analysis
educational
When to use this quote
- community decision‑making
- family parenting
- social organization
Key Concepts
political theory
cultural anthropology
self‑governance
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the limits of absolute freedom?
- How can community balance individual rights?
A Different Perspective
Modern societies may need structured rules for safety.
![“If the layman cannot participate in decision making, he will have to turn himself over, essentially blind, to a hermetic elite. ... [The fundamental question becomes] are we still capable of self-government and therefore freedom? Margaret Mead wrote in a 1959 issue of Daedalus about scientists…” quote by Gerald Holton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/368/gerald-holton-46138_benevolent_if-the-layman-cannot-participate-in-deci_1394613.jpg)
