John Farrier's Blog Posts
Researchers at the University of California at San Diego found a positive correlation between excessive brain growth during infancy and later diagnosis with autism. This could lead to earlier diagnoses and treatments for the disorder:
Link | Photo (unrelated) from Flickr user Andrew Ciscel used under Creative Commons license
Using cross-sectional MRI scans, the U.C.S.D. researchers found overgrowth in autistic subjects as young as one and a half. At two and a half, the autistic subjects’ brains were 7 percent larger on average than the control group’s. Although why, exactly, excessive brain growth is related to autism remains a mystery, the new work helps to confirm that signs of the disorder appear early—knowledge that could lead to detection and treatments, such as behavior therapy, at a younger age.
Link | Photo (unrelated) from Flickr user Andrew Ciscel used under Creative Commons license
(YouTube Link)
We're about to start potty-training at my household.
Please tell me that such humiliating songs are not a necessary part of the process.
via Urlesque
Matt Moniz, 12, and his father decided to ascend the highest point in each of the 50 US states in record time. The lowest climb was Britton Hill in Florida, which is 345 feet above sea level, and the highest was Mt. McKinley in Alaska, which is 20,320 feet above sea level. Matt and his father completed the task in 43 days, 2 hours, and 8 minutes, breaking the previous record by 2 days:
Link via Digg | Photo by Flickr user raer used under Creative Commons license
Matt's climbing resume is quickly becoming a very impressive one. Not only has he now completed the 50 high points, he has also climbed Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and Elbrus, the highest peaks in Africa, South America, and Europe respectively. He has also made the trek to Everest Base Camp as well, and with the completion of Denali, he now has four of the Seven Summits under his belt. Not bad for a young man who hasn't even entered junior high yet.
Link via Digg | Photo by Flickr user raer used under Creative Commons license
Gōjin Ishihara was a Japanese artist whose was in demand in the 1970s as a children's book illustrator. He made graphic depictions for stories that are, uh, a bit different from what you might find in American children's books today. Pink Tentacle has a compilation of 16 such images from his work, such as the above 1975 image from The Illustrated Book of Hell.
Link
Perhaps your parents or grandparents had different approaches to raising children than you are using in bringing up your own children. These weren't necessarily bad means of parenting -- but different because they reflected cultural values that have changed over the generations.
Much has changed in the long human history of parenting. And a lot hasn't changed at all. I think that you'll see that as we explore how children were raised in five historical societies.
Ancient Rome: In theory, under the law and principle of patria potestas -- the power of the father -- the male head of household held absolute power over his children. He could discipline them as he wished, or even kill them or sell them into slavery. In practice, however, there were many formal and informal limitations to this practice. Exposure at birth was common for unwanted children -- provided that it was the father who made the decision -- although this infanticide was legally considered murder during the last centuries of the western empire. Valued children were given a bulla or bag of magical charms worn around the neck to protect them from harm.
Childhood lasted until about thirteen for girls, when they were married off, or fourteen for boys, when their medallion of childhood was replaced with the toga of adulthood. Girls were educated in domestic skills at home, and sufficiently wealthy boys attended local schools. Discipline could be harsh, but many Romans realized that the rod was counterproductive. Quintilian, in a text on rhetoric and pedagogy, wrote:
Ancient Greece: In classical Greece, it was legal and fairly common to abort or expose unwanted babies. Those that were kept and survived early infancy were nursed by mothers or wet nurses, commonly slaves devoted to the task. Children were often given toys at sacred festivals, such as balls, miniature chariots, or dolls made from clay and rags. Upon reaching adulthood, the children would dedicate their toys to various gods as a rite of passage.
Girls were kept at home until they married, but boys were able to go out and acquire an education -- a task that Greek intellectuals took very seriously. Here’s a passage from the works of Plutarch, a 1st Century A.D. Greek writer, about how Spartans tried to teach their boys ideas and manners by immersing them in the adult social world:
Mesopotamia: In some of the ancient Semitic cultures of Mesopotamia, babies were named for the emotional response of the family upon the child’s birth. Exposure was common, particularly for girls, but selling a child into slavery was rare and an act of financial desperation. Children were nursed for two to three years, in part for the activity's birth control effects on the mother. Mothers sang incantations as lullabies to their children, fearing that the noise of their crying would irritate the gods. Children played with miniature weapons and household implements as they role-played adult activities.
Sons were particularly valued and discipline was moderated, as one proverb expresses “A poor man does not strike his son a single blow; he treasures him forever.” (Proverbs from Ki-en-gir, 17) Nonetheless, the bonds of parent to child could be broken by a delinquent child, as one law states:
Medieval Scandinavia: Viking women gave birth only in the company of other women. Laws against the exposure of newborns except in case of birth defects indicated that the practice was known, but not fully socially acceptable. Again, girls were more likely to suffer this fate than boys. Even before the Christian period, babies were sprinkled with water and given names in a public ceremony. Finely crafted toys indicate that children were often deeply loved by their parents.
Girls were educated in the household arts, but boys typically learned farming and herding, except for the higher classes, who learned the arts of war. It was common for children to be fostered by other families in order to strengthen bonds between different kinship groups. Such children could be highly esteemed, as one runic inscription at Kirk Michael on the Isle of Man says “It is better to leave a good foster son than a bad son.” Fostering another man’s child could be an honor, or it could be an expression of dominance, as one Norse king expressed when he was presented with the child of another king:
Imperial China: In China of the imperial restoration (6th-13th centuries A.D.), children were highly valued and parents used various treatments and practices to increase fertility. Rearing was largely the responsibility of the mother, or in a wealthy family, nurses. A father might throw a grand feast for his community to celebrate the birth of an heir on the third day after the child’s birth and take the child into his arms for the first time. After three months, fathers gave boys special, sacred names that were not spoken in public. Children, even as adults, did not refer to their parents by their given names on pain of imprisonment under certain circumstances.
Rituals marked a formal entry into adulthood for children of both genders. At fourteen, a girl’s hair was pinned on top of her head by her mother and she given a new name signifying adulthood and eligibility for marriage. Similarly, wealthy boys received a cap on their heads from their fathers in a ceremony before the spirits of the family ancestors, and took an adult name.
Approaches to discipline and character formation leading to this fulfilled adulthood were widely debated. Some, such as the influential Yan Zhitui (531-591), proposed a middle ground between harshness and laxity:
Images: Flickr user David Paul Olmer used under Creative Commons license, leoncillo sabino used under Creative Commons license, Minnesota State University - Mankato, Flickr user ~Duncan~ used under Creative Commons license, and George Mason University, respectively.
NB: These are generalizations of diverse societies over long periods of time. They should not be taken as universal statements of historical realities.
Much has changed in the long human history of parenting. And a lot hasn't changed at all. I think that you'll see that as we explore how children were raised in five historical societies.
Ancient Rome: In theory, under the law and principle of patria potestas -- the power of the father -- the male head of household held absolute power over his children. He could discipline them as he wished, or even kill them or sell them into slavery. In practice, however, there were many formal and informal limitations to this practice. Exposure at birth was common for unwanted children -- provided that it was the father who made the decision -- although this infanticide was legally considered murder during the last centuries of the western empire. Valued children were given a bulla or bag of magical charms worn around the neck to protect them from harm.
Childhood lasted until about thirteen for girls, when they were married off, or fourteen for boys, when their medallion of childhood was replaced with the toga of adulthood. Girls were educated in domestic skills at home, and sufficiently wealthy boys attended local schools. Discipline could be harsh, but many Romans realized that the rod was counterproductive. Quintilian, in a text on rhetoric and pedagogy, wrote:
But that boys should suffer corporal punishment, though it be a received custom, and Chrysippus makes no objection to it, I by no means approve; first, because it is a disgrace and a punishment for slaves, and in reality (as will be evident if you imagine the age changed) an affront; secondly, because, if a boy's disposition be so abject as not to be amended by reproof, he will be hardened, like the worst of slaves, even to stripes; and lastly, because, if one who regularly exacts his tasks be with him, there will not be the least need of any such chastisement. (Institutes of Rhetoric, 1.3.14)
Ancient Greece: In classical Greece, it was legal and fairly common to abort or expose unwanted babies. Those that were kept and survived early infancy were nursed by mothers or wet nurses, commonly slaves devoted to the task. Children were often given toys at sacred festivals, such as balls, miniature chariots, or dolls made from clay and rags. Upon reaching adulthood, the children would dedicate their toys to various gods as a rite of passage.
Girls were kept at home until they married, but boys were able to go out and acquire an education -- a task that Greek intellectuals took very seriously. Here’s a passage from the works of Plutarch, a 1st Century A.D. Greek writer, about how Spartans tried to teach their boys ideas and manners by immersing them in the adult social world:
The children would also come to the public messes, and were taken there as though to schools of modesty. The would listen to political discussions and would see amusements worthy of free men. They themselves would learn to play and joke without rudeness, and not get angry when being joked at. For it was thought to be a specifically [Spartan] virtue to put up with jokes, but if one found this intolerable, one could simply ask the jester to stop and he would comply. (Lycurgus, 12)
Mesopotamia: In some of the ancient Semitic cultures of Mesopotamia, babies were named for the emotional response of the family upon the child’s birth. Exposure was common, particularly for girls, but selling a child into slavery was rare and an act of financial desperation. Children were nursed for two to three years, in part for the activity's birth control effects on the mother. Mothers sang incantations as lullabies to their children, fearing that the noise of their crying would irritate the gods. Children played with miniature weapons and household implements as they role-played adult activities.
Sons were particularly valued and discipline was moderated, as one proverb expresses “A poor man does not strike his son a single blow; he treasures him forever.” (Proverbs from Ki-en-gir, 17) Nonetheless, the bonds of parent to child could be broken by a delinquent child, as one law states:
Be it enacted forever and for all future days: If a son says to his father, "You are not my father," he [the father] can cut off his [the son's] locks, make him a slave and sell him for money. If a son say to his mother, "You are not my mother," she can cut off his locks, turn him out of town, or (at least) drive him away from home, deprive him of citizenship and of inheritance, but his liberty he loses not. If a father say to his son, "You are not my son," the latter has to leave house and field and he loses everything. If a mother says to her son, "You are not my son," he shall leave house and furniture. (A Collection of Mesopotamian Laws, 1)
Medieval Scandinavia: Viking women gave birth only in the company of other women. Laws against the exposure of newborns except in case of birth defects indicated that the practice was known, but not fully socially acceptable. Again, girls were more likely to suffer this fate than boys. Even before the Christian period, babies were sprinkled with water and given names in a public ceremony. Finely crafted toys indicate that children were often deeply loved by their parents.
Girls were educated in the household arts, but boys typically learned farming and herding, except for the higher classes, who learned the arts of war. It was common for children to be fostered by other families in order to strengthen bonds between different kinship groups. Such children could be highly esteemed, as one runic inscription at Kirk Michael on the Isle of Man says “It is better to leave a good foster son than a bad son.” Fostering another man’s child could be an honor, or it could be an expression of dominance, as one Norse king expressed when he was presented with the child of another king:
Then Athenalstan said, “Whose child is this?”
“A servant girl’s in Norway,” answered Huak. “King Herald said you should foster up her child.”
King Athenalstan said, “This lad’s eyes are not those of a servant.”
Huak answered “The mother is a servant-girl. She says King Herald is the father. Now you have taken the lad on your knee, you must treat him just as he were you own son.”
The king replied, “Why should I foster up Harald’s child, even if he were legitimate? Much less his servant-girl’s child.” With one hand he reached for the sword that lay nearby, with the other, the child. Then Huak said, “You have taken King Harald’s child on your knee as your foster-son. You can slaughter him now if you want, but for all that you won’t be able to destroy all of King Harald’s sons like that. And from now on, everyone will say, as they have always done, that a man who fosters another’s child is less noble than him.” (“Noregs Tununga Tal”, part of the Flateyjarbók.)
Imperial China: In China of the imperial restoration (6th-13th centuries A.D.), children were highly valued and parents used various treatments and practices to increase fertility. Rearing was largely the responsibility of the mother, or in a wealthy family, nurses. A father might throw a grand feast for his community to celebrate the birth of an heir on the third day after the child’s birth and take the child into his arms for the first time. After three months, fathers gave boys special, sacred names that were not spoken in public. Children, even as adults, did not refer to their parents by their given names on pain of imprisonment under certain circumstances.
Rituals marked a formal entry into adulthood for children of both genders. At fourteen, a girl’s hair was pinned on top of her head by her mother and she given a new name signifying adulthood and eligibility for marriage. Similarly, wealthy boys received a cap on their heads from their fathers in a ceremony before the spirits of the family ancestors, and took an adult name.
Approaches to discipline and character formation leading to this fulfilled adulthood were widely debated. Some, such as the influential Yan Zhitui (531-591), proposed a middle ground between harshness and laxity:
But as soon as a baby can recognize facial expressions and understand approval and disapproval, training should be begun so that he will do what he is told to do and stop when so ordered. After a few years of this, punishment with the bamboo can be minimized, as parental strictness and dignity mingled with parental love will lead the boys and girls to a feeling of respect and caution and give rise to filial piety. I have noticed about me that wherever there is love without training this result is never achieved. Children eat, drink, speak, and act as they please. Instead of needed prohibitions, they receive praise; instead of urgent reprimands, they receive smiles. Even when children are old enough to learn, such treatment is still regarded at the proper method. Only after the child has formed proud and arrogant habits do they try to control him. But one may whip the child to death, and he will still not be respectful, while the growing anger of the parents only increases his resentment. After he grows up, such a child at last becomes nothing but a scoundrel. (Household Instructions.)
Images: Flickr user David Paul Olmer used under Creative Commons license, leoncillo sabino used under Creative Commons license, Minnesota State University - Mankato, Flickr user ~Duncan~ used under Creative Commons license, and George Mason University, respectively.
NB: These are generalizations of diverse societies over long periods of time. They should not be taken as universal statements of historical realities.
(YouTube Link)
This little girl still has training wheels on her bicycle. But she can drift sideways into a parking spot like she's a pro stunt driver.
via Urlesque
Matthew Hess is an advocate for the elimination of routine infant male circumcision. Gledson Baretto is a comic book artist. Together, they created the superhero Foreskin Man:
Miles Hastwick is a former corporate scientist who now heads the Museum of Genital Integrity on a small island surrounded by San Diego's famous beaches. Unbeknownst to the public, Miles is also Foreskin Man, an intactivist superhero who rescues innocent boys from the clutches of the world's cleverest and most dangerous circumcisers.
There are trading cards available.
Link via Comics Alliance
(Video Link)
When I put my toddler to bed, I start by talking with her about her day and all the things that she did, like playing with the dog or visiting her grandma. Then I sing her a few lullabies. There are four of them, always presented in the same order, so that when I finish the fourth, she says "Bed." She knows the routine and thus being placed inside the crib is not a surprise.
The first lullaby is this one, which is the theme song to the Canadian science fiction TV show Lexx. The lyrics translate from Brunnen as follows:
Fighters of the Fight
For their home and their heart
We fighters will win or die
Forever we are Brunnen G
What lullabies do you sing your children?
A father in Indianapolis is under arrest after his two young children were found in the street while he was inside their apartment, playing a computer game. A woman named Noemy spotted the children and summoned the police:
Of course, the most disturbing part of this story is the father was captivated by a game as lame as Atlantis.
Link via Kotaku | Photo by Flickr user Arbron used under Creative Commons license
When Noemy drove into the apartment complex, she says the naked two year old girl was standing just around a small bend where she could have been hit. Noemy stopped her car to tend to the girl, and then noticed another one year old boy was playing in the grass near the curb wearing only a soiled diaper.[...]
When officers arrived they found an open door several apartments down. Despite yelling through the open door and knocking several times nobody answered. The officers then walked inside and up the stairs before finding 31 year old Timothy Hausaman, who was supposed to be watching his two children.
Though he didn't initially respond, officers say Hausaman wasn't sleeping. He was actually on his bed playing an online role-playing game called "Atlantis" on his laptop. He said he had left his kids downstairs to play, and he was so into his game that he had no idea they got out.
Of course, the most disturbing part of this story is the father was captivated by a game as lame as Atlantis.
Link via Kotaku | Photo by Flickr user Arbron used under Creative Commons license
An 11-year old girl who calls herself Jessi Slaughter has become an Internet sensation. And not in a good way. If you're late the story (as I am), here's a summary: this girl posted suggestive photos of herself online, received nasty responses, and posted a crying breakdown in response on YouTube. This video whipped up entire legions of trolls to go after her. Some of these trolls found her home and sent pizza deliveries to her. Jessi responded with more follow up videos, which included painfully inept cameos by her father, which, of course, fed the trolls.
Anyway, there's a lot of commentary about the story going around the blogosphere today, such as this take by Adrien Chen of Gawker:
Cole Stryker of Urlesque focuses his much of his response on Jessi's parents:
So, the practical application question:
How do you address your children's activities on the Internet?
Screenshot: Urlesque
Anyway, there's a lot of commentary about the story going around the blogosphere today, such as this take by Adrien Chen of Gawker:
Don't pick on 11 year-old girls. Seriously. No matter how dumb they seem-no matter how much they might seem to deserve it-they are, at the end of the day, 11 year-old girls. You wouldn't make an 11 year-old girl cry in real life; why do it on the Internet?
Cole Stryker of Urlesque focuses his much of his response on Jessi's parents:
Only eleven and posting nudes and threats online! Which is why the real failure here lies squarely on Mom and Dad's shoulders. All 11-year-olds are idiots. When given the power of a worldwide platform to exhibit their vanity, they'll take it. Kids with unfettered internet access need parents who understand how the internet works.
So, the practical application question:
How do you address your children's activities on the Internet?
Screenshot: Urlesque
Margaret Eby of Flavorwire compiled an exhaustive list of baby name meanings from the perspective of rock 'n' roll:
Each baby name is followed by links to music videos illustrating the name in song.
Link via Geekosystem | Photo: Flickr user Jonas B used under Creative Commons license
Jenny
A daredevil on the motorcycle, likes to spin around. Oh, and everyone knows your number.
According to: The Mountain Goats, The Sonics, Tommy Tutone
Jimmy
A Bollywood star who leads ladies on and enjoys pyrotechnics
According to: M.I.A., The White Stripes
Joanna, Johanna
Reliable. Plus, Bob Dylan likes you better than Louise
According to: Bob Dylan, Kool and the Gang
Each baby name is followed by links to music videos illustrating the name in song.
Link via Geekosystem | Photo: Flickr user Jonas B used under Creative Commons license
(YouTube Link)
This baby is trapped inside a hollowed-out watermelon. His solution is to eat his way out.
via Albotas
Before World War II, there were 320 boys and men in England and Wales named Adolf, but as you can imagine, this baby name became less popular during and after the war. There are now only 20 or so people named Adolf in the UK. From The Daily Telegraph:
One of the boy names that my wife and I considered was in honor of William-Adolphe Bouguereau, but it was ultimately the Adolphe part that changed our minds.
Link | Photo: US National Archives
The website also uncovered other unusual naming trends, with 10 babies born in Lancashire in the late 19th century given the name Fish Fish, and at least one registered with the full name Fish Fish Fish.
In the 1800s there were six babies named Dick Turpin, and five babies were named Ringo in the 1960s.
Following Brazil's World Cup win in 1970, at least eight boys were named Pele, while four Maradonas were registered in England and Wales in 1986 after the 'Hand of God' incident.
One of the boy names that my wife and I considered was in honor of William-Adolphe Bouguereau, but it was ultimately the Adolphe part that changed our minds.
Link | Photo: US National Archives
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