The overt fears of Dakota Indian children.

Abstract

The methods of child-training characteristic of the Dakota Indians are in the main mild and permissive, and consciously opposed to physical punishment which, they feel, is abused by white parents. However, to correct seriously unacceptable conduct they have their own severity: fear. Disobedient children are first told in detail about a terrible being who will appear if misbehavior does not cease. If this warning is not sufficiently impressive, a member of the family, disguised and dressed for the part, looms out of the dusk and chases the screaming little sinners. From eastern Santee to western Teton, bogies vary locally in number, sex, and type, but universally have a form or costume unlike people the children ordinarily see (3, PP. I27-I28; 6, p. 27). In 1951 and 1952, as part of a study of the changing role of women among Santee Dakota now living on the Oak River Reserve near Griswold, Manitoba,2 I made systematic inquiry about the socialization process that had formed them and the extent to which they were continuing the same method in training their own children.3 Although several old women and all the younger mothers said that the old ways of acting out the bogy had dwindled to descriptions and warnings, it seemed to me wise if possible to check these statements with the acutely interested parties. Often a child