DEVELOPMENT OF PARENTHOOD 303 



exception. The Eskimos, for example, mature, in general, at an 

 earlier age than the English. There are, no doubt, other factors 



(Madame Le Brun and her daughter.) 



All through the ages, artists, in their works of art, have expressed mother 

 love and the dependence of children. 



than climate that influence development and maturity. It is 

 probable that nutrition has an influence. There is also another 

 side to be considered, for rapid development or early maturing is, 

 generally, connected with relatively shortened duration of life. 

 The average length of life and the proportional number of people 

 of advanced age are usually greater in those communities that 

 give the children a longer period in which to develop, protect them 

 more completely from various dangers, and look after their needs 

 more thoroughly. 



Development of parenthood. Among the simplest organisms, 

 there is no period of life corresponding to parenthood. At a certain 



