An Introduction to Childhood: Anthropological Perspectives on Children's Lives - Softcover

Montgomery, Heather

Softcover

ISBN 10: 140512590X ISBN 13: 9781405125901

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2008

Synopsis

In An Introduction to Childhood , Heather Montgomery examines the role children have played within anthropology, how they have been studied by anthropologists and how they have been portrayed and analyzed in ethnographic monographs over the last one hundred and fifty years. Offers a comprehensive overview of childhood from an anthropological perspective Draws upon a wide range of examples and evidence from different geographical areas and belief systems Synthesizes existing literature on the anthropology of childhood, while providing a fresh perspective Engages students with illustrative ethnographies to illuminate key topics and themes

About this title

Review:

"Although this work will be most useful for an upper-level undergraduate audience, more advanced readers will also enjoy it for its readability, the considerable breadth of literature covered, and its serious attempt to place children at the forefront of anthropology." (Journal of the Finnish Anthropological Society, 1 April 2011)

"Heather Montgomery illustrates the many ways that anthropologists have written about children over the past 150 years with enviable clarity and economy. Her book will be required reading for students, academics, and professionals in understanding childhood in context." (Journal of Folklore Research, 19 January 2011)

"An Introduction to Childhood is nicely written and makes the case well for undergraduate audiences that it is important to consider cultural differences in ideas about childhood. This is a timely issue and the book should be a useful addition to introductory undergraduate courses." (International Joumal of Sociology of the Family, February 2010)

"A timely, readable, and important work for all academic libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended." (CHOICE, October 2009)

"This book deserves a wide audience; it is an important resource not only for students of anthropology but also to people working in child protection in cross-cultural settings. ... Invaluable." (Children & Society, 2009)

"Throughout the book, the discussions give an insight into classic and contemporary anthropology related to children, which is important for everyone working with research in similar fields. The book is especially relevant for students. The style is clear and approachable ... .Although it is not required of the reader to read the book from cover to cover, I strongly recommend doing so." (Childhood in the Past, 2009)

From the Back Cover:

In An Introduction to Childhood, Heather Montgomery examines the role children have played within anthropology, how they have been studied by anthropologists and how they have been portrayed and analyzed in ethnographic monographs over the last one hundred and fifty years.

Using a wide range of evidence from a variety of very different societies, this book challenges the idea that there is any one correct way to raise children, or that parents across the globe have the same goals in raising their children, or the same attitudes towards them. Drawing on the rich history of anthropological literature, Montgomery uses key topics to illustrate important issues in the anthropological study of children and childhood. This volume provides a fresh investigation into the diversity of beliefs about childhood as well as the variety of children's daily lives, looking at issues such as how parents elsewhere raise their children, what they understand as abusive, how children become adults and what both adults and children see as their respective roles and responsibilities.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 140512590X
• ISBN 13: 9781405125901
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304