Front cover image for The anthropology of childhood : cherubs, chattel, changelings

The anthropology of childhood : cherubs, chattel, changelings

"The raising of children, their role in society, and the degree to which family and community is structured around them, varies quite significantly around the world. The Anthropology of Childhood provides the first comprehensive review of the literature on children from a distinctly anthropological perspective. Bringing together key evidence from cultural anthropology, history, and primate studies, it argues that our common understandings about children are narrowly culture-bound. Whereas dominant society views children as precious, innocent and preternaturally cute 'cherubs', Lancy introduces the reader to societies where children are viewed as unwanted, inconvenient 'changelings', or as desired but pragmatically commoditized 'chattels'. Looking in particular at family structure and reproduction, profiles of children's caretakers, their treatment at different ages, their play, work, schooling, and transition to adulthood, this volume provides a rich, interesting, and original portrait of children in past and contemporary cultures. A must-read for anyone interested in childhood."--Jacket
Print Book, English, 2008
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008
Cross-cultural studies
xii, 466 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
9780521887731, 9780521716031, 0521887739, 0521716039
233543957
Where do children come from?
To make a child
A child's worth
It takes a village
Making sense
Marbles and morals
His first goat
Living in limbo
How schools can raise property values
Suffer the children