ABSTRACT
This chapter describes general features of hunter-gatherer adolescence. Most studies of adolescence in small-scale cultures have been conducted with farming or pastoral cultures, and the vast majority of cultures in the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample (SCCS), used by Schlegel and Barry (1991) in their classic adolescent study, utilize these modes of production. Farming and pastoral cultures are known for their gender inequality, strong chiefs, deference and respect of older individuals (e.g., parents, older siblings), accumulation or defense of land or herds, regular warfare, and relatively high population density. These features are rare or absent in mobile hunter-gatherers. The differences in social systems and culturally constructed niches are likely to influence the daily lived experiences and identity formation of adolescents.
