Margaret Mead Excerpt

In Margaret Mead's excerpt, she argues that we, as individuals, do not motivate our peers to be successful in their endeavors, instead we motivate people who we are not familiar with. I agree with her claim, because one way to achieve success is by helping others to prosper in life, and not being selfish in one’s actions. We exist happily in our own worlds until someone comes along and achieve more tasks than we do. Success comes from hard work and collaboration of others to receive great benefits at the end. There is a common saying that relates to Mead’s claim “It takes a village to raise a child”. In other words, one needs guidance and help through their journey of life, in order to succeed in their endeavours.

Sometimes, people do not like to collaborate with others, because they think there will be no benefit from it. It appears that their chance in the spotlight was taken from them by someone else. Jealously and envy is now evident. According to the excerpt, the achievement of our peers is considered as a threat to us, which turns to portray them as rivals. Instead of regarding others’ success, we should be proud for them and show appreciation. Whether you feel threatened by a person, it does not depend on …show more content…
We refuse to help each other because we are selfish to the smallest extent. Then, we develop jealously and pressure from society to achieve in everything. I do believe that achieving success is seen as a threat to others because others might be affected by it. It affects our view on others and ourselves. Individuals tend to take in a personal level, when they see someone that is an overachiever than them, it crosses the line of jealousy than an inspiration to make more effort. Overall, there are a number of overachievers that are considered as a threat, but we should congratulate them for the results of their