Babies

1. Did one culture, shown in the film, have a better way of parenting than the others?

Based on the movie, no one culture had a better way of parenting than the other. These parents all tried their best to prepare their children for society and attempted to instill the socities' culture in them from the moment they were born. They all tried to make sure the child was happy by dislalying numerous methods of affection (i.e. hugging, kissing, and singing gently).
The children are, respectively, in order of on-screen introduction: Ponijao, who lives with her family in Opuwo, Namibia; was left mostly to her own devices, but her mother held her on her back while she was working. Bayarjargal, who resides with his family in Mongolia, seemed to be left mostly with his brother or by himself and the animals, and I think this parenting style makes lead him to become more independent. Mari, who lives with her family in Tokyo, Japan had alot of toys and care. Hattie, who resides with her family in the United States, in San Francisco, recieved constant attention; her parents seemed attuned to her every need and determined to satisfy her.

2. How did each family prepare the child to take its "place" in their society? Did communication, cuddling, supervision, discipline line up to "mold" the kid for that society? Or do you think that a kid from one society would have been able to transfer successfully/easily at age 1 to one of the others?

Each child's experience was diffierent in numerous ways. They learned of their culture by imitating what their parents and siblings did and in doing so they allowed each of their cultures to become a part of their identity. Parents and siblings showed them what was appropriate and what was not; they were who the child looked up to and saw as an role model. By age one, the child seemed accustomed to his/her style of life. By age one, Ponijao, the child from Africa seemed accustomed to walking around naked and singing tribal songs. It would have been difficult to bring him to a city where he would be fully clothed and immersed in a culture greatly different from the one he had experienced. The babies all had toys. Ponijao used rocks to hit other rocks, which helped wiht his cognitive development and learn that it made sounds and he could erode the rocks by putting it next to one another. Mari and Hattie, had toys that showed them that as well in addition to learning classes. Hattie had a baby yoga class and Mari had a mom and daughter class with other moms and babies, which got her used to other people and kids her age. Bayarjarul played with animals, sitting on the goats and cats. The parents would talk to the babies so the babies would pick up on the language of their culture.

3. What looked universal - common to all humans - from the film - at least as edited? Why is this universality significant?

Love and nurturing appeared universal from the film. Each parent displayed affection towards their child, taking care of him/her and playing with the child. They cuddled with their child, and played with them, by waving objects over their head. This display of love is very important because it's one of the most important things that a child needs to grow. A child needs interactions with his/her parents because it is neccessary towards the child's cognitive development. Affection is also important for a child's self-esteem because it makes them feel as if they are loved and it helps them grow into secure, healthy indvididuals.