Ruth Benedict and Education

Authors

  • Amurabi Oliveira Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Abstract

Ruth Benedict (1887–1948) was one of the most prominent anthropologists of the twentieth century, some of her best-known works being the books Patterns of Culture (1937) and The Chrysanthemum and the Sword (1946), which impacted and influenced generations of social science researchers. In her academic production her works dedicated to education are less emphasized, although this was a relevant topic throughout her career, especially in dialogue with her research with children. In the article “What do we educate for?” Benedict discusses the role of preschool in American society, indicating its cultural uniqueness and problematizing false perceptions that universalize a given conception of education and childhood.

KEYWORDS: Ruth Benedict. Anthropology of education. Anthropology of the child. Preschool education.

Image: Children playing. Source: “What Are We Educating For?”, Article by Ruth Benedict.

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Author Biography

Amurabi Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Professor at the Department of Sociology and Political Science, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Image: Children playing. Source: “What Are We Educating For?”, Article by Ruth Benedict.

Published

2023-09-26