Growing Up in a Culture of Respect: Child Rearing in Highland Peru

Inge Bolin

Published by University of Texas Press 2006

Growing Up in a Culture of Respect

Child Rearing in Highland Peru

Inge Bolin

https://doi.org/10.7560/709829

Overview
Contents

About this book

Far from the mainstream of society, the pastoral community of Chillihuani in the high Peruvian Andes rears children who are well-adjusted, creative, and curious. They exhibit superior social and cognitive skills and maintain an attitude of respect for all life as they progress smoothly from childhood to adulthood without a troubled adolescence. What makes such child-rearing success even more remarkable is that "childhood" is not recognized as a distinct phase of life. Instead, children assume adult rights and responsibilities at an early age in order to help the community survive in a rugged natural environment and utter material poverty.

This beautifully written ethnography provides the first full account of child-rearing practices in the high Peruvian Andes. Inge Bolin traces children's lives from birth to adulthood and finds truly amazing strategies of child rearing, as well as impressive ways of living that allow teenagers to enjoy the adolescent stage of their lives while contributing significantly to the welfare of their families and the community. Throughout her discussion, Bolin demonstrates that traditional practices of respect, whose roots reach back to pre-Columbian times, are what enable the children of the high Andes to mature into dignified, resilient, and caring adults.

Author / Editor information

Inge Bolin is a Research Associate in Anthropology at Malaspina University College in British Columbia, Canada. This book continues and amplifies the ethnography she began in Rituals of Respect: The Secret of Survival in the High Peruvian Andes. Dr. Bolin received the Circle of Courage Award for her contribution to the science and practice of positive youth development.

Reviews

This is a wonderful book, a brilliant book, one that explains Andean culture in a totally unique and fascinating way.

— Thomas M. Davies, Jr.

Societal changes have consequences, and how a people choose to raise their children reveals much about their values and spirit of place. Andean children, (though living with material scarcity), are fully entwined in a network of reciprocal obligations, thereby discovering the meaning of being human. It is this culture of respect that Inge Bolin reveals in this splendid and original book.

— Wade Davis

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 1. From the Womb to the Cradle Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	16
Chapter 2. Early Childhood Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	33
Chapter 3. Children at Play and Work Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	62
Chapter 4. The Many Faces of Learning Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	82
Chapter 5. Rituals and Ceremonies on Top of the World Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	109
Chapter 6. Adolescence: A Time of Many Challenges Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	135
Chapter 7. Building a Society of Respect Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	150
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	161
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	179
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	187
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	205

Language: English
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 232

eBook

Published: January 1, 2010
ISBN: 9780292795976