Anthropological Perspectives on Children as Helpers, Workers, Artisans, and Laborers

Examines the role of the work of children in domestic economies
Addresses how work forms the basis of play, socialization, and family structure in certain cultures
Addresses differences between various forms of labor

Examines the role of the work of children in domestic economies Addresses how work forms the basis of play, socialization, and family structure in certain cultures Explores the differences between various forms of labor

Autorentext
David F. Lancy is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Utah State University, USA.

Klappentext
Within academia, the study of childhood has been dominated by a mono-cultural or WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic) perspective. However, a contrasting and more varied perspective is emerging within the field of anthropology. So, while the phenomenon of children as workers is ephemeral in WEIRD societies and in the literature on child development, there is ample cross-cultural and historical evidence of children making vital contributions to the family economy. Children's labor is of great interest to researchers but it is treated as extra-culturalan aberration that must be controlled. Work as a central component in children's lives, development, and identity goes unappreciated. This book aims to rectify that omission by surveying and synthesizing a very robust corpus of material. Two prominent themes receive particular emphasis: the processes involved in learning to work, and the interaction between ontogeny and children's roles as workers.

Inhalt

1. Work in Children's Lives.- 2. From Playing to Working.- 3. Helpers.- 4. Becoming Workers.- 5. Young Artisans.- 6. Children as a Reserve Labor Force.- 7. Children as Laborers.- 8. The Effects of Culture Change on Children's Work.