The Caribbean is known more as a tropical paradise than as an area composed of diverse ethnic and political groups, the majority of whom live on the edge of poverty. This set of conceptual and empirical papers focuses on the diversity of ethnic groups in Caribbean families. The essays examine ethnic origins, social structures, family structures, and intellectual, social and clinical problems and their treatment. The issues noted in migration patterns are presented in some detail and there is a description and assessment of different family organizations and childrearing patterns. In documenting Caribbean culture, this volume aims to offer a source of information for broadening the knowledge base of social scientists interested in sociocultural family functioning.

This volume offers a comprehensive, up-to-date synopsis of fathering and father-child relationships in diverse regions of the world, helping students and practitioners alike understand cultural variations in male parenting. Interest in the role of the father and his influence on children's development and economic well-being has grown considerably. This edited volume uses detailed accounts to provide culturally situated analysis of fathering in cultures around the world. The book's contributors, a multidisciplinary group of scholars, bring together the most recent theoretical thinking and research findings on fatherhood and fathering in cultural communities across developed, recently developed, and developing societies. They address such issues as fathering and gender equality in caregiving, concepts of masculinity in contemporary societies, fathering in various ethnic groups, immigrant fathers, fathering and childhood outcomes, and social policies as they affect and are affected by issues related to fathering. Organized geographically, the book scrutinizes major sociocultural, demographic, economic, and other factors that influence men's relationships within families. It shows how economic conditions impact men's involvement with children and considers the effects of ideological belief systems and views of spousal/partner roles and responsibilities. The analysis is underpinned by recent data that underscores the significance of fathers' involvement with and investment in the well-being of their children. Explores variations in father-child relationships across a wide range of cultural settings Enhances understanding of the increasing role of men in fostering the well-being of children Calls attention to the importance of the diverse roles of fathers in a changing global community Examines the changing dynamic of parenting vis-a-vis gender roles Approaches the study of fathering from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, human development and family studies, and early childhood development

The research and theoretical contributions of international and multidisciplinary scholars have advanced our understanding of the role of play in evolution and behavior. The diverse articles in this volume range from theoretical and conceptual advances, scientific investigations, to discourse about applied issues and different dimensions of play. The authors provide excursions into the adaptive, cultural, and social significance of play. The databased papers fall into four categories: the role of age, gender, and ethnicity in play participation, social-cognitive connections to play, fighting and play fighting, and play and process in adulthood. Play is defined as behavior that is not necessary to survival and yet is undertaken voluntarily as a method by which to improve the quality of life. This study, addressing the definition, role, and characteristics of play, falls within the research of education, psychology, anthropology, sociology, leisure studies, and primatology. The play of humans and nonhumans takes a variety of forms and serves multiple purposes within mental and emotional states of being. The motivation and impact of play behavior varies with the type of play performed. The studies included in this volume address simple games, more complex creative activities, the emotional implications of play throughout adult life, and the role of play in human social construction.

For applied developmental psychologists (professionals or graduate students) provides detailed descriptions of dramatically diverse cultures, addressing the role of culture in the functioning of families and the socialization of children (and providing readers with the basis for an increased sensiti

This comprehensive reference analyzes psychological and anthropological studies concerning child and adolescent development across cultures, digging into often-forgotten topics like street children, child soldiers, and parenting in war-torn countries. Traditionally, research on child and adolescent development has focused on American youth, inadvertently neglecting 96 percent of the world's children. This all-encompassing volume introduces global perspectives on young people across the globe, focusing on such topics as parenting and childcare, gender roles, violence against girls, adolescence in poor and rich countries, and developmental psychopathology across cultures. Recently updated, the second edition includes the latest findings in the field, additional content, and new photos and charts. With contributions from leading psychological and anthropological scholars, chapters address worldwide changes in children's lives, parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, immigrant children and their families, and adolescents in both industrialized and developing nations. A special section discusses children living in difficult circumstances, including street children, child soldiers, global nomads, and children suffering from various internalizing and externalizing disorders. This book is the perfect introduction to the latest trends in developmental psychology.

The Handbook of International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education provides a groundbreaking compilation of research from an interdisciplinary group of distinguished experts in early childhood education (ECE), child development, cultural and cross-cultural research in the psychological sciences, etc. The chapters provide current overviews of ECE in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, the US, and Canada, and convey how ECE is multi-sectorial, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary, undergirded by such disciplines as neuroscience, psychological anthropology, cross-cultural human development, childhood studies, and political science.

Play takes up much of the time budget of young children, and many animals, but its importance in development remains contested. This comprehensive collection brings together multidisciplinary and developmental perspectives on the forms and functions of play in animals, children in different societies, and through the lifespan. The Cambridge Handbook of Play covers the evolution of play in animals, especially mammals; the development of play from infancy through childhood and into adulthood; historical and anthropological perspectives on play; theories and methodologies; the role of play in children's learning; play in special groups such as children with impairments, or suffering political violence; and the practical applications of playwork and play therapy. Written by an international team of scholars from diverse disciplines such as psychology, education, neuroscience, sociology, evolutionary biology and anthropology, this essential reference presents the current state of the field in play research.

The Handbook of International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education provides a groundbreaking compilation of research from an interdisciplinary group of distinguished experts in early childhood education (ECE), child development, cultural and cross-cultural research in the psychological sciences, etc. The chapters provide current overviews of ECE in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, the US, and Canada, and convey how ECE is multi-sectorial, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary, undergirded by such disciplines as neuroscience, psychological anthropology, cross-cultural human development, childhood studies, and political science.

Play takes up much of the time budget of young children, and many animals, but its importance in development remains contested. This comprehensive collection brings together multidisciplinary and developmental perspectives on the forms and functions of play in animals, children in different societies, and through the lifespan. The Cambridge Handbook of Play covers the evolution of play in animals, especially mammals; the development of play from infancy through childhood and into adulthood; historical and anthropological perspectives on play; theories and methodologies; the role of play in children's learning; play in special groups such as children with impairments, or suffering political violence; and the practical applications of playwork and play therapy. Written by an international team of scholars from diverse disciplines such as psychology, education, neuroscience, sociology, evolutionary biology and anthropology, this essential reference presents the current state of the field in play research.

The research and theoretical contributions of international and multidisciplinary scholars have advanced our understanding of the role of play in evolution and behavior. The diverse articles in this volume range from theoretical and conceptual advances, scientific investigations, to discourse about applied issues and different dimensions of play. The authors provide excursions into the adaptive, cultural, and social significance of play. The databased papers fall into four categories: the role of age, gender, and ethnicity in play participation, social-cognitive connections to play, fighting and play fighting, and play and process in adulthood.

Play is defined as behavior that is not necessary to survival and yet is undertaken voluntarily as a method by which to improve the quality of life. This study, addressing the definition, role, and characteristics of play, falls within the research of education, psychology, anthropology, sociology, leisure studies, and primatology. The play of humans and nonhumans takes a variety of forms and serves multiple purposes within mental and emotional states of being. The motivation and impact of play behavior varies with the type of play performed. The studies included in this volume address simple games, more complex creative activities, the emotional implications of play throughout adult life, and the role of play in human social construction.

The Caribbean is known more as a tropical paradise than as an area composed of diverse ethnic and political groups, the majority of whom live on the edge of poverty. This set of conceptual and empirical papers focuses on the diversity of ethnic groups in Caribbean families. The essays examine ethnic origins, social structures, family structures, and intellectual, social and clinical problems and their treatment. The issues noted in migration patterns are presented in some detail and there is a description and assessment of different family organizations and childrearing patterns. In documenting Caribbean culture, this volume aims to offer a source of information for broadening the knowledge base of social scientists interested in sociocultural family functioning.