Cities Quote by Margaret Mead
“Of all the peoples whom I have studied, from city dwellers to cliff dwellers, I always find that at least 50 percent would prefer to have at least one jungle between themselves and their mothers-in-law.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Cultural Patterns of the American Southwest, Margaret Mead, 1935
People often desire distance from close relatives, especially mothers-in-law, reflecting a universal desire for personal space and autonomy.
In simple terms: Many want space from mothers-in-law.
Key Takeaway
Respect personal boundaries.
Themes
family dynamics
personal space
humor
Mood
amused
reflective
Type
humorous
observational
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- living arrangements
- holiday planning
- intergenerational households
Key Concepts
social psychology
cultural observation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does cultural context shape family boundaries?
- What strategies help maintain healthy relationships?
A Different Perspective
Not all cultures view mothers-in-law negatively; some families are close.
![“I also remember a line from a song by Smog [Bill Callahan], which seems to describe the experience of a town-dweller moving to the country: "I was raised in a pit of snakes/Blink your eyes - I was raised on cake."” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/950/quentin-s-crisp-4149_bills_i-also-remember-a-line-from-a-song-by-sm_299534.jpg)
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
