Pathways to Peace: The Transformative Power of Children and Families (Volume 15) (Strüngmann Forum Reports (15))

Experts investigate the role of child development in promoting a culture of peace, reporting on research in biology, neuroscience, genetics, and psychology. Can more peaceful childhoods promote a culture of peace? Increasing evidence from a broad range of disciplines shows that how we raise our children affects the propensity for conflict and the potential for peace within a given community. In this book, experts from a range of disciplines examine the biological and social underpinnings of child development and the importance of strengthening families to build harmonious and equitable relations across generations. They explore the relevance to the pursuit of peace in the world, highlight directions for future research, and propose novel approaches to translate knowledge into concrete action. The contributors describe findings from research in biology, neuroscience, evolution, genetics, and psychology. They report empirical evidence on children living in violent conditions, resilience in youth, and successful interventions. Their contributions show that the creation of sustainable partnerships with government agencies, community leaders, policy makers, funders, and service providers is a key ingredient for success. Taken together, they suggest possible novel approaches to translate knowledge into concrete action. List Of Contributors -- Foreword: The Culture Of Peace / Anwarul K. Chowdhury -- Foundations For A New Approach -- Peace Is A Lifelong Process : The Importance Of Partnerships / James F. Leckman, Catherine Panter-brick, And Rima Salah -- Framing Our Analysis : A Dialectical Perspective / Robert A. Hinde And Joan Stevenson-hinde -- Ecology Of Peace / Pia Rebello Britto, Ilanit Gordon, William Hodges, Diane Sunar, Cigdem Kagitcibasi, And James F. Leckman -- Human Biological Development -- Peptide Pathways To Peace / C. Sue Carter And Stephen W. Porges -- Epigenetics : Significance Of The Gene-environment Interface For Brain -- Development / Eric B. Keverne -- Group Identity As An Obstacle And Catalyst Of Peace / Douglas P. Fry -- Human Biological Development And Peace : Genes, Brains, Safety, And Justice / Barak Morgan, Diane Sunar, C. Sue Carter, Douglas P. Fry, Eric B. Keverne, Iris-tatjana Kolassa, Robert Kumsta, James F. Leckman, And David Olds -- Early Childhood Events And Relationships -- Comparative And Evolutionary Perspectives / Dario Maestripieri -- The Problem Of Institutionalization Of Young Children And Its Consequences For Efforts To Build Peaceful Societies / Nathan A. Fox, Charles A. Nelson And Charles H. Zeanah -- Prosocial Development And Situational Morality : Neurobiological, Parental, And Contextual Factors / Marinus H. Van Ijzendoorn And Marian J. Bakermans-kranenburg -- How Do Events And Relationships In Childhood Set The Stage For Peace At -- Personal And Social Levels? / Howard Steele, Marinus H. Van Ijzendoorn, Marian J. Bakermans-kranenburg, W. Thomas Boyce, Mary Dozier, Nathan A. Fox, Heidi Keller, Dario Maestripieri, Paul Odhiambo Oburu, And Hiltrud Otto -- Challenges In Society -- Mental Health And Development Among Children Living In Violent Conditions : Underlying Processes For Promoting Peace / Raija-leena PunamÃñki -- Structural Violence And Child Development / Andrew Dawes And Amelia Van Der Merwe -- Promoting The Capacity For Peace: Perspectives From Research On Resilience In Children And Families / Ann S. Masten -- Healthy Human Development As A Path To Peace / Daniel J. Christie, Jere R. Behrman, James R. Cochrane, Andrew Dawes, Kirstin Goth, Jacqueline Hayden, Ann S. Masten, Catherine Panter-brick, Raija-leena PunamÃñki, Mark Tomlinson -- Program And Policy Implications -- Interventions: What Has Worked And Why? / Cigdem Kagitcibasi And Pia Rebello Britto -- Linking Peacebuilding And Child Development : A Basic Framework / Mohammed Abu-nimer And Ilham Nasser -- The Power Of Media In Peacebuilding / Lucy Nusseibeh -- Creating Effective Programs And Policies To Reduce Violence And Promote Peace -- Pia Rebello Britto, Rima Salah, Mohammed Abu-nimer, Jacqueline Bhabha, Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Gary R. Gunderson, Cigdem Kagitcibasi, Lucy Nusseibeh, Olayinka Omigbodun, Mikiko Otani, And Geraldine Smyth -- Bibliography -- Subject Index. Edited By James F. Leckman, Catherine Panter-brick, And Rima Salah. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 385-443) And Index. "Can more peaceful childhoods promote a culture of peace? Increasing evidence from a broad range of disciplines shows that how we raise our children affects the propensity for conflict and the potential for peace within a given community. In this book, experts from a range of disciplines examine the biological and social underpinnings of child development and the importance of strengthening families to build harmonious and equitable relations across generations. They explore the relevance to the pursuit of peace in the world, highlight directions for future research, and propose novel approaches to translate knowledge into concrete action. The contributors describe findings from research in biology, neuroscience, evolution, genetics, and psychology. They report empirical evidence on children living in violent conditions, resilience in youth, and successful interventions. Their contributions show that the creation of sustainable partnerships with government agencies, community leaders, policy makers, funders, and service providers is a key ingredient for success. Taken together, they suggest possible novel approaches to translate knowledge into concrete action"--MIT CogNet