Childhood: Origins, Evolution, and Implications

Childhood: Origins, Evolution, and Implications
ISBN-10
0826357016
ISBN-13
9780826357014
Series
Childhood
Category
Social Science
Pages
360
Language
English
Published
2016-05-01
Publisher
University of New Mexico Press
Authors
Courtney L. Meehan, Alyssa N. Crittenden

Description

This collection is the first to specifically address our current understanding of the evolution of human childhood, which in turn significantly affects our interpretations of the evolution of family formation, social organization, cultural transmission, cognition, ontogeny, and the physical and socioemotional needs of children. Moreover, the importance of studying the evolution of childhood has begun to extend beyond academic modeling and into real-world applications for maternal and child health and well-being in contemporary populations around the world. Combined, the chapters show that what we call childhood is culturally variable yet biologically based and has been critical to the evolutionary success of our species; the significance of integrating childhood into models of human life history and evolution cannot be overstated. This volume further demonstrates the benefits of interdisciplinary investigation and is sure to spur further interest in the field.

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