Abstract
We provide an ethnographic description of child-rearing by step-parents and other adults in the precontact Ache society. Children are often raised by an adult who marries one of their biological parents after the other parent dies or divorce takes place. Paternal death and divorce are both especially common in Ache society, even though both lead to lower survival of offspring. Here, we provide a quantitative estimate of the fraction of children living with step-parents or other adult alloparents from 52 precontact band censuses, from marital history interviews and from demographic data on adult mortality. We discuss a multiplicity of non-genetic caregiving and parenting arrangements that lead to different direct and indirect fitness payoffs to the adults who assume these roles, including 1) inclusive fitness, 2) reciprocal cooperation with the biological parent, 3) labour exploitation and 4) ‘generosity signalling’ to other band members, potential allies and cooperative partners. Finally, we discuss the importance to human childhood development of intimate co-residence and extensive close emotional bonds with multiple unrelated individuals, including step-parents, other adult alloparents and co-resident stepsiblings raised together.
Published Version
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