The child

The Child, brings together contemporary research on children and childhood from pediatrics, child psychology, childhood studies, education, sociology, history, law, anthropology, and other related areas. While presenting certain universal facts about children's development from birth through adolescence, the entries also address the many worlds of childhood both within the United States and around the globe. They consider the ways that in which race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural traditions of child rearing can affect children's experiences of physical and mental health, education, and family. Each entry provides a concise and accessible synopsis of the topic at hand. For example, the entry "Adoption" begins with a general definition, followed by a detailed look at adoption in different cultures and at different times, a summary of the associated mental and developmental issues that can arise, and an overview of applicable legal and public policy. Alongside the topical entries, The Child includes more than forty "Imagining Each Other" essays, which focus on the particular experiences of children in different cultures.