All of this discussion is mostly heartening, but a certain amount (far less
that I expected--that's a good example of why I like to be found wrong) of
self-righteousness has inevitably leaked through. It would be an
interersting student project (perhaps an opportunity to integrate sociology
with ecology?) to analyze the responses and summarize the elements into a
paper or even a book.
It seems primary to me that keeping an infant with the mother (and as much
as possible with the father or a loving man). "Bonding" may be far more
important than we suppose, and nursing, except when it is medically
inadvisable, is superior to "formula." It seems that is is at least possible
that the "extra" contact required by the extreme environment might have
superior effects on the child and its development compared with more
"controlled" environments where it is possible (and therefore tempting) to
reduce said contact. Might we ask, for example, the Northern Sami and others
who live in extreme environments for tips in this regard.
WT
