I don't really do book reviews on this blog but I thought this book was so good and everybody should read it!
Anthropology of Childhood: Cherubs, Chattel, Changelings by David F. Lancy. I couldn't give a better summarization than goodsreads so here is goodread's summary of the book:"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, works, 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."
Reading this book I felt like everything I knew about children or parents all got flipped around and jumbled. It was interesting to find that our worship of children is actually quite rare and unusual. Also it was interesting that children were able to take full responsibility at such young ages. For me it was especially interesting when the anthropologist looked at the way Utah Mormon children behaved and why.
This book was a very fast read it wasn't "textbook" style like I was expecting. You don't have to be an Anthropologist to enjoy this book.
Saw the image below on facebook. Like I said earlier that view that children are the best things in the world and we need to do everything we can to make their lives the best that they can be is almost a rare thought. Even in America if you go back a hundred years the thought process wouldn't be the same. They would look at children more like cattle. The more children you had the better the parents lives would be.
