The Anthropology of Childhood: Cherubs, Chattel, Changelings - Rilegato

Lancy, David F.

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0521887739 ISBN 13: 9780521887731

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Riassunto

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.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

'In this comprehensive and delightful book, Lancy weaves his encyclopedic knowledge of the field of childhood across cultures into a series of thought-provoking essays that capture the wide range of children's experience around the world. As he interprets the cultural meanings that organize their daily lives, he simultaneously performs a comprehensive cultural analysis of middle-class American childhood and parenting. This book is unique in that it will be of great value to scholars and their students across the fields of anthropology, sociology, psychology, and education, but also of great interest to parents and policy makers who want to see themselves and others more clearly.' Suzanne Gaskins, Northeastern Illinois University

'Through his expansive integration of the anthropological literature, Lancy has moved the field forward towards a holistic and unified perspective on children and childhood. I can think of no other work that at once exemplifies such depth and breadth. This visionary focus joins theoretical perspectives heretofore considered disparate in a synthetic framework that redefines the anthropology of childhood.' John Bock, California State University

'David Lancy has produced a finely nuanced, beautifully written and comprehensive account of children's lives and the meanings that adults give to childhood. Delightfully illustrated and drawing on insights from anthropology, psychology, sociology and history his book is essential for anyone interested in cross-cultural studies of childhood.' Heather Montgomery, Open University

'Through his expansive integration of the anthropological literature, Lancy has moved the field forward towards a holistic and unified perspective on children and childhood. I can think of no other work that at once exemplifies such depth and breadth. This visionary focus joins theoretical perspectives heretofore considered disparate in a synthetic framework that redefines the anthropology of childhood.' Human Nature

'In this work of stunning insight and signal importance, David Lancy frees us from constricted, culture-bound conceptions of childhood, illustrating the extraordinarily diverse forms that children's development has taken. By dismantling narrowly ethnocentric notions of what constitutes a normal childhood, he allows us to envision alternatives to the overpressured, overorganized, overcommercialized world that today's middle-class children inhabit.' Steven Mintz, University of Houston, author of Huck's Raft: A History of American Childhood

'What is it like to be a child in a culture very different from our own? What is it like to be a parent? David Lancy's fascinating book is essential reading for anyone who thinks there is only one proper way to rear a child. Parenting practices, we learn, vary tremendously from one culture to another, but children are pretty much the same the world around. Wherever they live and whatever chores they are assigned, children manage to find time to play with other children.' Judith Rich Harris, author of The Nurture Assumption and No Two Alike

'A wonderful, unique, and essential advance in our understanding of humankind. Anyone who cares about children (in fact, anyone who wants to understand their own life and modern society) should read this book.' Alan Fiske, University of California, Los Angeles

Descrizione del libro:

Bringing together key evidence from cultural anthropology, history, and primate studies, Lancy introduces the reader to societies where children are viewed as unwanted, inconvenient 'changelings'. Enriched with vivid anecdotes, evocative photographs and written in a politically balanced style, this class-tested text is a must-read for students and practitioners alike.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Cambridge University Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521887739
• ISBN 13: 9780521887731
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero edizione: 1
• Numero di pagine: 480