Bears Quote by Margaret Mead
“A society which is clamouring for choice, which is filled with many articulate groups, each urging its own brand of salvation, its own variety of economic philosophy, will give each new generation no peace until all have chosen or gone under, unable to bear the conditions of choice.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Coming of Age in Samoa, Margaret Mead, 1928
Abundant choices create anxiety, leading generations to feel trapped unless they commit or are overwhelmed by options.
In simple terms: Too many choices cause unrest.
Key Takeaway
Simplify options to reduce decision fatigue.
Themes
choice
society
anxiety
generational conflict
freedom
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
sociological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career selection
- political voting
- consumer purchasing
- educational pathways
Key Concepts
Decision theory
social pressure
collective identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance choice with guidance?
- What strategies reduce choice‑induced stress?
A Different Perspective
Choice overload can also empower autonomy if managed well.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
