The similarities between Samoan and American culture begin during childhood. In both cultures, this time is important in learning basic skills that will be needed in life. In Samoa, the stress is put heavily upon the older siblings to teach the younger children these skills. Mead observed, "Just as a child is getting old enough so that its willfulness is becoming unbearable, a younger one is saddled upon it, and the whole process is repeated again, each child being disciplined and socialized through the responsibility for a still younger one." (Mead 1928:19). The young girls will be trusted as baby tenders around the age of six or seven until they are old enough to begin work on the plantations. During

this period, the girls are at the beck and call of their elders and the children they watch. Mead wrote, "These haunt them from morning until night.....It may be said with some justice that the worst period of their lives is over." (Mead 1928: 21). However, the boys will be relieved of the younger children around the ages of eight and nine because they can help the older boys with their work. Much like in the American culture, children are often given the responsibility to look after their younger siblings and to teach them skills that they will need. When I was young, I remember spending hours playing school in my basement with my younger sister, while my parents relaxed upstairs. Over time the both of us benefited from this. She picked up on abilities from what I taught her, and I learned responsibility through role playing. It demonstrates many of the ideas toward child care that are held by the Samoans.

The third relationship is between adolescents of the same age. These relationships are often arranged by a soa. In the American culture we too have soas. I have always had friends that were guys to help me out with my boy problems. They are the best at finding out the information from them because they are the same sex at they are more open with each other. The same idea exists amongst the Samoa, "a boy can only approach a girl in the evening, or when no one is by, but a girl can go with her all day long, walk with her and lie on the mat by her, eat off the same platter, and whisper between mouthfuls of the name of the boy, speaking ever of him, how good he is, how gentle and how true, how worthy of love." (Mead 1928:64). If the relationship that a soa establishes results in marriage, they are rewarded with a great present. In America

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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)