Book
Becoming Tongan: an ethnography of childhood
University of Hawai'i Press • Honolulu • Published In 1996 • Pages:
By: Lee, Helen Morton.
Abstract
This document, aptly subtitled 'an ethnography of childhood', is a study of the various socio-cultural factors that are operational in the socialization of children from birth to late adolescence in order to become an adult member of Tongan society. After a brief discussion of some of the theoretical concepts utilized in this study, Lee (Morton) then presents a detailed description of some of the major the factors noted above, such as: ANGA FAKATONGA ('the Tongan way'), the concept of what constitues the ideal individual; Tongan notions of 'personhood' with its cultural values of 'OFA (love, concern), respect, obedience, and independence, and the availability and acquisition of this knowledge by children; physical punishment in children's socialization; and the management of emotion. The work concludes with the author's analysis of childhood socialization processes in reference to recent (ca. 1979-1989) political developments in Tonga.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2006
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Polynesia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle; 2004
- Field Date
- 1979-1989
- Coverage Date
- ca. 1950s-1989
- Coverage Place
- Villaage of Holonga, Tongatapu Island, Tonga
- Notes
- Helen Morton
- Includes bibliographical references (p.305-337) and index
- LCCN
- 95041374
- LCSH
- Tongans