The Anthropology of Childhood

by David F. Lancy

• ISBN13: 9780521887731
• ISBN10: 0521887739
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-12-22
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

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.

Author Biography

David F. Lancy is Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University.

Table of Contents

List of plates	p. vi
Picture credits	p. viii
Preface	p. ix
Where do children come from?	p. 1
To make a child	p. 24
A child's worth	p. 76
It takes a village	p. 112
Making sense	p. 154
Of marbles and morals	p. 191
His first goat	p. 234
Living in limbo	p. 272
How schools can raise property values	p. 305
Suffer the children	p. 352
References	p. 377
Author index	p. 457
Topic index	p. 460
Society index	p. 463
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