Choice 评论

A welcome addition to the sparse literature in enculturation and child rearing, an area increasingly considered one of the most important for understanding human culture. An introductory essay by the editors surveys child development theory historically, providing an excellent literature review. The editors also include a theoretical essay on cross-cultural observations on infant learning. Furthermore, eight essays present data on childhood learning patterns collected by recognized anthropologists in cultures ranging from Africa to Borneo to Soviet Georgia. An annotated bibliography of the ethnography of childhood since 1970 is included along with bibliographies accompanying each essay--features that make this title particularly valuable to advanced students. Thi s collection is in the tradition of books like Childhood in Contemporary Cultures, ed. by M. Mead and M. Wolfenstein (1955). It will be useful to all serious students of the enculturation process. -H. L. Harris, Western Washington University