Who is Margaret Mead, and what was her contribution to anthropology?

Margaret Mead was a prominent cultural anthropologist whose work significantly advanced our understanding of gender roles and adolescent development within different cultures. She is particularly well-known for her groundbreaking studies in the South Pacific, especially her research in Samoa, where she examined the lives of adolescents and their experiences of coming of age. Mead's work challenged Western notions of gender and sexuality, demonstrating how cultural contexts shape individual experiences and social norms. Her emphasis on the influence of culture rather than biology in determining gender roles was revolutionary and laid the groundwork for future anthropological studies on gender and identity. Her contributions have had lasting impacts on both anthropology and gender studies, making her a key figure in the discipline.