"Growing up in New Guinea was first published in 1930, where it was recognized as an original and important contribution to the theory of education. Like Coming of Age in Samoa, it comments critically and provocatively on a number of vital problems of modern life. On the island of Manus, in the Admiralty Group, Margaret Mead found an isolated community untouched by missionaries or foreign trade. Here she watched the children grow up - schooled as babies to the hazards of the sea, sure-footed, quick-handed, with perfect physical adjustment to life. Starting with one section of human society, the author goes on in the second part of her book to the larger aspects of educational and emotional problems in the 'civilized' world of today"--Back cover.

Includes index.

Part 1. Growing up in Manus society -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Scenes from Manus life -- 3. Early education -- 4. The family life -- 5. The child and the adult social life -- 6. The child and the supernatural -- 7. The child's world -- 8. The development of personality -- 9. Manus attitudes toward sex -- 10. The adolescent girl -- 11. The adolescent boy -- 12. The triumph of the adults -- Part 2. Reflections on the educational problems of today in the light of Manus experience -- 13. Bequeathing our tradition graciously -- 14. Education and personality -- 15. Giving scope to the imagination -- 16. The child's dependence upon tradition - Appendices.