Growing up on the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea

This volume deals with the children's socialization on the Trobriands. After a survey of ethnographic studies on childhood, the book zooms in on indigenous ideas of conception and birth-giving, the children's early development, their integration into playgroups, their games and their education within their `own little community' until they reach the age of seven years. During this time children enjoy much autonomy and independence. Attempts of parental education are confined to a minimum. However, parents use subtle means to raise their children. Educational ideologies are manifest in narratives and in speeches addressed to children. They provide guidelines for their integration into the Trobrianders' "e;balanced society"e; which is characterized by cooperation and competition. It does not allow individual accumulation of wealth - surplus property gained has to be redistributed - but it values the fame acquired by individuals in competitive rituals. Fame is not regarded as threatening the balance of their society.