Adjustment Quote by Margaret Mead
“The protection of a ten-year-old girl from her father's advances is a necessary condition of social order, but the protection of the father from temptation is a necessary condition of his continued social adjustment. The protections that are built up in the child against desire for the parent become the essential counterpart to the attitudes in the parent that protect the child.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Social Role of the Family” 1935, anthropological study
Protecting children from parental advances maintains social order, while protecting parents from temptation aids their adjustment; both are interdependent.
In simple terms: Child protection and parental self‑control support societal stability.
Key Takeaway
Balance protection of children with parental self‑discipline.
Themes
family dynamics
social order
boundary setting
intergenerational relations
Mood
thoughtful
critical
analytical
Type
academic
ethical
sociological
When to use this quote
- parent‑child relationships
- counseling
- social policy
- family therapy
Key Concepts
anthropology
ethical norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure mutual respect in family boundaries?
- What mechanisms support healthy parental self‑control?
A Different Perspective
May ignore power imbalances that can persist despite protections.
