The film presents the Bateson and Mead sociological study of parent-child relationships in Bali. It shows how the characteristic Balinese unresponsiveness is cultivated in early childhood.
Compares treatment of Balinese and Iatmul (New Guinea) babies with American practices. The different methods of bathing children is seen in three contrasting cultures. "New Guinea". A native mother is seen washing her own and a neighbour's children in a river. "U.S.A.". "The 1930's". In a small bathroom, the mother first carefully wipes the child's face with a flannel, before p...