Margaret Mead's study of anthropology played a vital role in her career, shaping her insights into culture and society. Her fieldwork, particularly in Samoa, challenged Western notions of gender and family dynamics, leading to her influential book "Coming of Age in Samoa." Mead's emphasis on cultural relativism redefined how anthropology approached human behavior and social structures. She advocated for the importance of understanding different cultures, thus broadening the scope of social science and influencing discussions on gender roles and human development.