(A Debate on Margaret Mead's Analysis of Success as a Source of Confusion)
Margaret Mead's idea that the concept of success is a source of confusion is indeed an accurate analysis. As Americans we are taught to celebrate and admire those who succeed, but we often only rejoice in the success of people far removed from ourselves, but those with talents that we want for ourselves, close at hand, are often seen as a threat. Because the American people are often very self-oriented it is easy to find jealousy in another's success. Mead's Analysis of success as a source of confusion is accurate in every aspect because others' successes can certainly cause a sense of threat, jealousy and even outbursts of anger or violence.
Success of other people can be a threat especially when one has the desire to possess the same trait that is bringing upon the success, as Margaret Mead has established. A scenario that describes this best is found…show more content… A prime example of this is found in the news; Adrianne Reynolds, a pretty new girl in school, started getting too much attention from the boys. Sarah Kolb, another girl at the East Moline school didn't like it and expressed her anger in the way a lot of teens do, saying she wanted to kill her rival. "Kolb, 16 and Corey Gregory, 17, have both been charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide in the death of Reynolds." Says ABC News. A scenario to this magnitude is not to be ignored. Mead has the capability to comprehend the enormity of dealing with success. She understands how people can react in jealousy, with defense and with violence as well. Even though it is not always seen in such light, success is a source of indefinite
