Resumen de La garde des enfants par d'autres enfants: quelques études de cas extra-européens
Anthropological texts regarding children in Africa, Asia and Oceania let the author observe the practice of the caretaking of babies and toddlers by children just older than them. From the study emerges the ambiguity of the roles and status assumed by the little custodians. They seem to be working but they are also playing. They are free but obliged to pay continuous attention to their brothers and sisters. If they are in charge of the socialisation of the youngest ones, they have to learn, simultaneously, the responsibilities of adults. Girl and boy caretakers must also maintain a balance between demands from infants, pressure from parents and their own choice of activities. The young babysitters may be exploited, or they may only do their part of common traditional family tasks
