Maternal Instinct Is More Likely a Myth - Essay Example

The Arapesh tribe was a notable example of shared parental responsibility.  The Arapesh children grew up similarly inclined toward sharing parental responsibility. In general, there was a desire to pander to the needs and shortcomings of the weak and the young. Arapesh parents, both male and female alike, exhibited the traditional willingness to play the role of ‘responsive and cooperative parents.’(Lindsey 2004 p 21)

            Mead’s observed that parental roles and duties could not be distinguished by a gender divide.  Concerning Mead’s experience, Lindsey writes that ‘what many societies would define as maternal behavior extended to both men and women.’ (Lindsey 2004 p 21)  The Mundugumar tribe was entirely different in their approach to parenthood.  They adopted a mere tolerance mode in respect of the children.  Neither parent was affectionate nor warm toward the children and did not hesitate to dispense severe punishment.  Again, behavior could be defined by gender.  (Lindsey 2004 p 21)

            Mead witnessed a complete role reversal along gender lines while living among the Tchumubuli tribe of New Guinea.  ‘This tribe consisted of practical, efficient and unadorned women and passive, vain and decorated men.’ (Lindsey 2004 p 21) The women played the role of breadwinners by ‘weaving, fishing, and trading.’ (Lindsey 2004 p 21)  Moreover, men ‘remained close to the village and practiced dancing and art.’ (Lindsey 2004 p 21)  It was the man’s job to win the woman’s affection.  It was the tribal experience that led Mead to adhere to the theory that maternal instinct was myth rather than fact.

            Lindsey concedes that there is some merit to Mead’s observations she also accepts that this tribal experience is opposed to the popular view of gendered behavior.  Although researchers have used biology to explain away salient distinctions between the male and the female, it is rather more onerous using biology to explain what is essentially masculine as opposed to feminine. (Piirto 2000)

            Maternal instinct is as much a myth as the concept that women are the weaker sex. (Lindsey 2004 p 46)  ‘Sociologists today need to account for the newest data showing that human evolution probably benefited more from cooperation and the agriculture and gathering activities favoring women than competition and hunting activities favoring men.’ (Lindsey 2004 p 47)

            The tradition dictates that give rise to notions about maternal instinct are the same dictates that invoke scientifically unsound distinctions between males and females.  The fact of the matter is that these dictates are nurtured rather than natural.  Women are nurtured to subscribe to maternal behavior.  It is not a natural phenomenon.  As noted by Mead from her experience with the three tribes of New Guinea, men can be nurtured to adhere to maternal behavior also.  At the same time, women can be nurtured to adapt to what a majority of societies view as purely masculine roles.