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Francesca Mezzenzana is an anthropologistSomeone who studies human beings and societies. The word "anthropology" comes from the Greek "anthropos", meaning "human". It developed as a subject in Europe in the 19th century, although some regard the Arab historian Ibn Khaldun as the first anthropologist. - somebody who studies how people in different cultures live. When her baby was four months old, she took him to live in a village on the AmazonA large river and jungle in South America. Also the name of a US-based company that started off selling books online. It now sells almost any product and is expanding into futuristic computer technology. which was home to 500 Runa people.

Francesca's Western ideasIdeas, beliefs or practices that are common in the West - a term for regions of the world including Europe, North America and Australasia. about being a parent seemed strange to the Runa. One was the way she carried her baby - in a sling facing towards her, so that he could always see her. Runa babies are also carried in a sling - but facing outwards towards the world.

Francesca thought children needed to be protected. The Runa thought they should be shown the world, and cared for by the whole village, not just their parents.

The Runa do not change how they live to fit their children's needs. They do not play with their children, or make meals just for them.

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This does not mean they love their children less. But they want their children to grow up as happy and useful members of their village.

So young children are taught to think about other people's needs, not just their own.

They help around the house and with looking after younger children as soon as they are old enough to.

Yes! Western parents spend too much time trying to give children everything they need and want. This means they do not learn how to cope on their own.

No! Children cannot do many things for themselves. They need lots of care and parents who look out for them all the time.