Childhood in Maya society

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The role of the children in the Mayan society was first and foremost to help their elders. Once children turned five or six they were expected to contribute to the family. They were treated as young adults and received more responsibilities as they grew older. Young girls were expected to perform household duties, while young boys were to help their fathers in farming. Mostly women raised the children, but “When a boy was about four or five … his father began the training of his son” (Sharer, 482). When adolescents turned 15, they were expected to be independent. Most adolescents had no childhood. The family was still there to help them, but for the most part they were on their own to provide for themselves. Today, this tradition of work ethic still applies to adolescents.

The Mayans desired some unnatural physical characteristics for their children. For instance, at a very young age boards were pressed on babies' foreheads to create a flattened surface. This process was widespread among the upper class. Another practice was to cross babies' eyes. To do this, objects were dangled in front of a newborn’s eyes, until the newborn’s eyes were completely and permanently crossed. In addition, there were a few unique customs regarding children. For example, most Mayan children were named according to the day they were born. Every day of the year had a specific name for both boys and girls and parents were expected to follow that practice. Also a “puberty ceremony” was held when boys and girls reached a certain age, and at the conclusion of the procession the child was available for marriage. This ritual was an important occurrence, and afterward a big feast was held for everyone who attended.

Most burial sites for children were not as elaborate as adult burial sites. “Infants/toddlers generally lacked offerings… for [children] who died before reaching the age of five, the only elaboration or special treatment consisted of inclusion within a probable family group…” ( Ardren, 67). However, some burial sites for children did contain more gifts than other youngsters. This suggests that the family had a great deal of remorse, and/or the child had high standings in society.

Several values were stressed to Mayan children. Not only was a strong work ethic desirable, but working for the betterment of the community was necessary. Families were extremely important to the Mayan culture, and respecting the leaders in one’s family was imperative. “A sense of responsibility is another important quality which children have to learn. This includes independence, self-confidence and the ability to make decisions” (Heckt, 325). It is believed that the most important quality for children to have was common sense, and they received this by shadowing their parents and observing them. The adults in the family were accountable for teaching the children everyday knowledge, which would allow their children to one day act independently.

Punishments for children ranged from threats to physical punishments. The most widely used reprimand was “verbal action”. Rewards were given as encouragement for younger children to act well. Whether Mayans used physical abuse as punishment or not is questionable, and there are many conflicting resources that dispute this topic.

[edit] References

  • Ardren, Traci and Scott R. Hutson; (2006) The Social Experience of Childhood in Ancient Mesoamerica, University Press of Colorado.
  • Goncu, Artin; (1999) Children’s Engagement in the World, University of Cambridge Press.
  • Sharer, Robert; (1994) The Ancient Maya, Stanford.
  • Heckt, Meike; (1999) "Mayan Education In Guatemala: A Pedagogical Model and Its Political Context" in International Review of Education Volume 45, Number 3-4, pp.321-337.