Childhood Rivalry in Bali and New Guinea
Presents a series of scenes in which children of the same age in Bali and New Guinea respond to the mother’s attending another baby, the ear piercing of a younger sibling, and the experimental presentation of a doll. The Balinese mother handles sibling rivalry by theatrical teasing of her own child through conspicuous attention to other babies. The Iatmul mother in New Guinea, even when nursing a newborn infant, makes every effort to keep her child from feeling jealous. The film shows the Balinese child’s interest is focused on younger children.