GROWING UP AS BOYS AND GIRLS
1.Location: Samoa is situated in the southern Pacific Ocean, within a cluster of small islands.
2.Education And Learning: In the 1920s, formal schooling wasn’t the norm. Instead, children learned life skills and chores from older kids and adults.
3.Fishing: This was a primary activity, and young individuals were taught to go on extensive fishing voyages.
4.Childhood Responsibilities: Babies, once they could walk, were often cared for by older siblings (as young as five). Both genders played a role in childcare. However, by nine, boys transitioned to learn outdoor tasks, while girls continued domestic duties.
5.Teenage Years: Girls, when they reached their teenage years, gained more freedom. They also began fishing, plantation work, and learned crafts like basket-weaving. Cooking areas were designated spots where boys took on the main responsibilities, and girls assisted.
1.Education: From Class VI, schools segregated boys and girls. The infrastructure of the schools reflected gender norms: girls’ schools had secluded courtyards, ensuring their safety, while boys’ schools had open playgrounds.