Enriched with findings from anthropological scholarship, this book provides a guide to childhood in different cultures, past and present.

David F. Lancy is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at Utah State University. Recent publications include Child Helpers (2020) and Raising Children (2017).

Preface; 1. Where do children come from?; 2. The value of children; 3. To make a child; 4. It takes a village; 5. Making sense; 6. Of marbles and morals; 7. The chore curriculum; 8. Living in limbo; 9. Taming the autonomous learner; 10. Elastic childhood; References; Author index; Topic index; Society index.