"Over a two-year period Jane and James Ritchie and their colleagues interviewed the mothers of 151 four-year-olds representing all aspects of New Zealand society. As responsible social scientists they interviewed in depth, but the result of their research is not a dry treatise but an easily read analysis of a little recorded aspect of New Zealand society." -- inside book.

"Over a two-year period Jane and James Ritchie and their colleagues interviewed the mothers of 151 four-year-olds representing all aspects of New Zealand society. As responsible social scientists they interviewed in depth, but the result of their research is not a dry treatise but an easily read analysis of a little recorded aspect of New Zealand society." -- inside book.

Child-rearing practices in every society occur in accordance with the cultural norms of the society. In most societies, however, child-rearing practices share a common value: the preservation of life and maintenance of the health and well-being of a new-born infant. In this volume, the authors bring together salient issues regarding cultural beliefs and practices and social issues regarding infant care and child-rearing and infant feeding practices as well as early motherhood in different societies. They show that traditional practices surrounding infant care and child-rearing continue to live despite the fact that many societies have been modernised.

The authors of this book have been involved with research on the subject for 40 years, and previously wrote 'Child Rearing Patterns in New Zealand' (1970), 'Growing up in New Zealand' (1978), and many papers. This book updates their previous work, and is in three parts: A Generation of Research, Addressing the Issues, and The Next Generation.

The book explores the child-rearing practices of an ethnic minority group (Punjabis) living in Britain and North America. Containing interviews with two generations of mothers (those of the 1990s and 1970s), this book reveals insights and attitudes that are also relevant for understanding other ethnic minority groups.