292 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 196 



Parental control of children is essentially a dyadic situation, 

 involving a parent and a child. Reliance upon indirection is also 

 visible in this relationship. Generally, children are raised permissively 

 and are seldom coerced unless they step too far out of line. But when 

 this occurs an adult tells the child to stop and threatens him by saying 

 that a "booger," a "skilly," or a unega (White person) will get him. 

 In this way a symbolic agent, external to the dyad relationship, is 

 introduced. This pattern of behavior occurs repetitively among 

 Conservative parents. Habitual use of an external sanctioning agent 

 does not, however, obviate direct parental interference. Yet, when 

 an adult does resort to more direct methods, these actions are not 

 preceded by a series of threats or promises to punish. The action 

 takes place quickly after the child has been told to stop. The general 

 tendency is for the adult not to identify himself as the source of 

 authority. 



The use of a mediator is a reflection of the Harmony Ethic in specific 

 behavior. It functions to reduce friction in situations which could give 

 rise to conflict. Employing an intercessor removes both actors from 

 the immediate tense circumstance; it resembles psychological with- 

 drawal. Where a mediator is not present, often a physical withdrawal 

 occurs. In either event, direct altercation is avoided. Controlling 

 children through the use of a symbolic external agent is an aspect of 

 the same principle. The parent appears to the children in a neutral 

 role rather than in an authoritarian or threatening role. 



Generosity. — Cherokee pride themselves on their generosity. 

 Tourist literature originating in the Cherokee Information Center 

 mentions that the Indians are generous and hospitable. Other 

 students of the Cherokee have also identified this trait. In reflecting 

 upon what I have seen, it occurs to me that generosity is, indeed, a 

 characteristic of the people, but it does not take the same form among 

 all of them. 



Conservatives state that "Indians are good to everybody"; 

 "Stinginess is bad." If one is at their home around mealtime, they 

 do not extend a formal invitation to stay to dinner. The unwary 

 visitor finds that a place has been set for him as a matter of course 

 and he is expected to eat. A guest seldom thanks his host; he simply 

 gets up after a meal and wanders out of the house. Nor does one 

 ordinarily receive thanks for a gift. I gave a good coat to a woman who 

 needed it badly. She said, upon receiving it, "It be all right; you can 

 leave it I guess." The writer did have one gift acknowledged, although 

 indirectly. The daughter of the recipient told her, "Mamma sure 

 did like those flowers you gave her." 



The pattern of generosity is the norm among the Conservative 

 segment of the population; it is predictable. But it is not without 



