Patterns of Culture: An Enduring Classic

by Ruth Benedict

we need rather to know what is identified in different cultures with the beginning of adulthood and their methods of admitting to the new status.

similarly maintained monogamy and supported prostitution and the panegyrics of monogamy were never so fervent as in the great days of the red-light districts.

but this is due to the difficulty of change itself, not to the fact that our age and country has hit upon the one possible motivation under which human life can be conducted

The minor changes that occasion so much denunciation today, such as the increase of divorce, the growing secularization in our cities, the prevalence of the petting party and many more, could be taken up quite readily into a slightly different pattern of culture.

The truth of the matter is rather that the possible human institutions and motives are legion, on every plane of cultural simplicity or complexity, and that wisdom consists in a greatly increased tolerance toward their divergencies.

but he can grant to other cultures the same significance to their participants which he recognizes in his own.