Growing Up in a Culture of Respect: Child Rearing in Highland Peru

by Inge Bolin

Far from the mainstream of society, the pastoral community of Chillihuani in the high Peruvian Andes rears children who are well-adjusted, creative, and curious. They exhibit superior social and cognitive skills and maintain an attitude of respect for all life as they progress smoothly from childhood to adulthood without a troubled adolescence. What makes such child-rearing success even more remarkable is that "childhood" is not recognized as a distinct phase of life. Instead, children assume adult rights and responsibilities at an early age in order to help the community survive in a rugged natural environment and utter material poverty. This beautifully written ethnography provides the first full account of child-rearing practices in the high Peruvian Andes. Inge Bolin traces children's lives from birth to adulthood and finds truly amazing strategies of child rearing, as well as impressive ways of living that allow teenagers to enjoy the adolescent stage of their lives while contributing significantly to the welfare of their families and the community. Throughout her discussion, Bolin demonstrates that traditional practices of respect, whose roots reach back to pre-Columbian times, are what enable the children of the high Andes to mature into dignified, resilient, and caring adults.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Michael Burnam-Fink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in a Culture of Respect focuses on children in the remote Peruvian village of Chillihuani. Though poor in material goods, and living a marginal existence as subsistence herders and farmers in one of the most remote corners of the world, the Chillihuanis have a durable culture that stretches back to the days of the Inca, a society of mutual aid, sacred geography, and children who are inquisitive, cheerful, respectful, with none of the angst that characterizes Western adolescence.

Bolin chronicles a world based on mutual solidarity, and one where an independent childhood is almost erased. Children are included in the rituals of adult life as soon as they are able, helping out around the home, and being treated as full and active participants in the life of their families and the village. The demanding environment seems to foster a true strength of character.

[Mandy Rachow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting monograph that portrays the fascinating life of indigenous in the Peru mountains. A bit repetitive from time to time but still good to read.

[Jesse Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked everything about this book. Until the very end. It might have even been the last page. Bolin claims that the Chillihuani have no word for respect. I wrote a paper about this book and attacked this claim mercilessly. I have no knowledge of their language, but this claim seems highly dubious to me. I won't get into it here, but we can argue about it sometime if you'd like. Despite the bizarre ending, this is an enjoyable and informative read.

[Karalee Shotola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my Anthropological Perspectives course, and at first I was dreading it because I thought it would be long, dry, and ultimately boring. However, I was very wrong. This book was easy to read, and it was interesting learning about the way of life for people living in Chillihuani of highland Peru. The book covers infancy through adolescence including how children learn to give and receive respect and become active members of the community. The book also covers the topics of family, work, play, school, and rituals. I also liked the addition of pictures as it made it easier for me to understand the various topics in the book. The only downside to this book is that it is repetitive at times, but I would highly recommend reading it if you are interested in learning about how children grow up in highland Peru.

[Ellie DeLyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthropological book was one of two choice books meant to accompany my senior seminar, Development as a Sociocultural Process (except I can’t make decisions so my “choice” was both). Immensely informative and interesting. This account of culture in Chillihuani allowed me to see much further past my views on learning and schooling given my background of intensely westernized education.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I give this a 3.8? I more than "liked" it, but I didn't "really like" it when I compare it to other books that I've given a 4 to. It was a satisfying read--an interesting read. The book I previously read about the people in the highlands of Peru, Andean Lives, was just too sparse for me. This one, I felt, gave me more information even though it was written by an American. However, at times I felt like this book presented such an idyllic picture of the people that she lived with that I found it hard to believe. This is something that Andean Lives did NOT do at all. She shows us this picture of people who are deprived in almost every way but who are happy, respectful, loving, energetic, and intelligent. The adolescents don't go through adolescent angst, everyone respects each other, people hardly raise their voices, boys are allowed to cry, it's completely egalitarian, etc. On the other hand, it's only my own limitations that I suppose prevent me from truly believing what she described. She did live with them for numerous years, while I have just read two books about this culture. I cannot consider myself to be any kind of expert.

I liked this book because it had a clear purpose: to speak about how children are raised in the highlands. The author keeps to her focus while also giving you relevant cultural and background information. This purpose was something that I found interesting and could relate to. It's hard to read an anthropological book if you aren't truly interested in what the author is discussing.

The book was repetitive at times, and the last chapter I skimmed through, but overall it was a good read and I kept finding myself saying to my husband, a Peruvian who is studying the Quechua people, "Did you know....?".

I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the highlands or in a different perspective on raising children. It's a great one, I think.

[Kiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book I read for my Anthropology class this semester. It's pretty interesting, but kind of repetitive. I recommend it if you like to learn about other cultures!