Not only was a strong work ethics desirable, but working for the betterment of the community was necessary.įamilies were extremely important to the Maya culture, and respecting the leaders in one's family was imperative. Several values were stressed to Maya children. This suggests that the family had a great deal of remorse, and/or the child had high standings. 'Infants/toddlers generally lacked offerings… for who died before reaching the age of five, the only elaboration or special treatment consisted of inclusion within a probable family group…' However, some burial sites for children did contain more gifts than other youngsters. Most burial sites for children were not as elaborate as adult burial sites. Every day of the year had a specific name for both boys and girls and parents were expected to follow that practice. For example, most Maya children were named according to the day they were born. In addition, there were a few unique customs regarding children.

To do this, objects were dangled in front of a newborn's eyes, until the newborn's eyes were completely and permanently crossed. This process was widespread among the upper class.Īnother practice was to cross babies' eyes. For instance, at a very young age boards were pressed on babies' foreheads to create a flattened surface. The Maya desired some unnatural physical characteristics for their children. In the Mayan culture it was to believed that the kids are always being taught survival skills and the ways of their culture. The females would be taught by their mothers everything there could be to learn and the same for the males, the father would teach their sons the 'job' the father would be in. Today, this tradition of work ethic still applies to adolescents.Ĭhildren in the Mayan Culture was most likely already have their life planned out already. When adolescents turned 15, they were expected to be independent. Mostly women raised the children, but 'When a boy was about four or five his father began the training of his son.'

Y oung girls were expected to perform household duties, while young boys were to help their fathers in farming. A boy's job was to learn from his father how to do the same occupation as his father.' A girl's job was to learn from her mother. 'Maya children were treated like small adults. In the perfect example, the mother would show and teach her daughter her skill and a father would show his son his skill and if the father had a job, then he would show his son, how to get the job required done. For the most part there are different 'norms' or ' responsibilities' for genders. Mayan Children are raised to help and learn from their parents, this includes, household chores, survival skills, hunting skills if needed. In the Mayan Culture children were raised and treated as adults. Being Adolescent in the Mayan Society, as any other culture/ society there 'norms' or 'responsibilities' that learned and need to be followed through.

Mayan ways of life