Developing destinies expands on my book the cultural nature of human development (rogoff,2003), in which I argued the to get beyond thinking of culture as static ethnic categories, we can instead focus on people’s participation in cultural practices-their ways of living. Cultural communities engage in coordinated constellations of related practices. For example, in the mayan community of san pedro, a common constellation of practices has included children “pitching in” with initative in community endeavors, observing keenly and being encouraged to do so; engaging collaboratively with the children and adults of the extended family by means of articulate, nonverbal conversation as well as frugal talk in the mayan language; and being part many other practices of their extended families, such as spiritual practices, and sibling care. Looking at culture in terms of cultural practices-how people live-helps us to understand the changes and continuities that occur across generations, as well as the mutual roles of individuals and their cultural communities. Developing destinies documents changes and continuities across decades and centuries, with historical photographs as well as first-person accounts and research on birth, childrearing , and learning. As professor sunan gelman(2011) wrote in a review of the book.
The book is particularly engaging in its discussion of childbearing, childhood, and development. s provides rich discussion of changing attitudes toward schooling, taking care of younger siblings, attitudes toward childhood mortality, children’s play, children’s work, beliefs about pregnancy and reproduction, and chaning birth practices.. it has vary broad reach, illuminating some of most profound themes of human development. The book truly is must read for all with interests in development or culture.
More information on learning through intent community participation can be found in English and
Spanish at www.intencommunityparticipation.net