"The various human exchanges that form part of daily life are not only necessary for the survival of a social system but deeply influence the social construction of knowledge and the development of mores and social values. This volume of original essays draws attention to the significance of these diurnal interactions through an exploration of theoretical and methodological concerns combined with analyses of patterns of socialization and enculturation in Indian society. Highlighting the importance of contextual factors in understanding human development, the contributors argue for an integrative and multi-disciplinary approach to research in the field. The introduction defines the concepts of socialization and enculturation, and discusses some of the current and emerging concerns in these areas. The essays that follow are grouped into four sections. They cover a wide range of themes including a child’s construction of knowledge; language socialization; gender issues related to empowerment, self-esteem and mental health; and the gendered nature of formal educational settings. The final section of essays stresses the need for programmes and policies which will improve the quality of the social environment. Bringing together contributions from a large number of disciplines and combining theory with field applications, this volume provides a context for scholars from allied fields to transcend their disciplinary boundaries and to come together to contribute to a body of culturally relevant knowledge. It will be of considerable interest to those in the fields of education, psychology, sociology, social theory, human development and gender studies."
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