Male and Female: A Study of the Sexes in a Changing World

Mead’s foundational anthropological examination of seven Pacific island tribes analyzes how culture shapes gender roles, exploring the evolving meaning of "male" and "female" in modern American society. On its publication in 1949, the New York Times declared, "Dr. Mead’s book has come to grips with the cold war between the sexes and has shown the basis of a lasting sexual peace." This edition, prepared for the centennial of Mead’s birth, features introductions by Helen Fisher and Mead’s daughter, Mary Catherine Bateson. A landmark contribution to the nature vs nurture debate, Male & Female remains an extraordinary document of great relevance, while Mead's research methods and fieldwork offer a blueprint for scholars in future generations.

Mead’s groundbreaking analysis provides a new way of seeing the world through its examination of:

• Cultural Anthropology: An in-depth look at seven Pacific island tribes, from the gentle Arapesh to the fierce, cannibalistic Mundugumor.
• The Social Invention of Fatherhood: A deep dive into one of Mead’s most revolutionary ideas—that the male’s nurturing role in the family is a learned social behavior, not a biological imperative.
• Foundational Social Science: An extraordinary document that explores the evolving meaning of "male" and "female," offering insights that remain relevant decades after its first publication.
• Human Nature: A brilliant comparison between non-western cultures and modern American society, revealing how much of what we call "human nature" is shaped by the culture we inherit.