This excellent book is the first to be published specifically on the history of childhood in Latin America. Its 13 chapters amply demonstrate the important role played by children in the histories of institutions such as the family, social welfare, education, the church, and the army. The history of industrialization and crime control are likewise intimately associated with issues of childhood and education. Tobias Hecht argues that the study of children is indispensable to understanding Latin American society and history. Familiar aspects of Latin American history can be seen in a new light by examining the experiences of children and notions about childhood. He also notes silences on issues of child labor, child abuse, and child mortality for periods prior to the late nineteenth century. The book contains historical research articles on Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru, and Mexico, plus a testimonial and a short...

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