ABSTRACT
Elsie Clews Parsons (1874-1941) came to the Southwest and to anthropology in search of a scientific way to understand the individual in relation to the conventions and ceremonies of society. Her earlier writing was focused on women and social issues. A frequent contributor to both popular magazines and the journals of the intelligentsia, Parsons also published a number of books for general audiences, presenting controversial ideas that challenged some of the most firmly established conventions of early twentieth century American society.1
