Premium
Children and Conduct in a Ladino Community of Chiapas, Mexico 1
Author(s) -
HOTCHKISS JOHN C.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1525/aa.1967.69.6.02a00060
Subject(s) - secrecy , espionage , reputation , face (sociological concept) , work (physics) , relation (database) , personally identifiable information , sociology , psychology , political science , law , social science , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , database
While running errands, children in a Ladino town of Chiapas, Mexico, perform roles that are integral to the system of community conduct. They obtain information for use by adults (spying) and enter encounters that might endanger an adult's self‐respect (“ face‐work ”). The adults' concern for secrecy and personal privacy provides the basis for these strategic uses of children. The relation between the maintenance of reputation and the protection of self in a small‐town setting makes this role for children understandable.