12: Roanne on the Inuit parenting advice that changed everything

In this episode of The Emic, Roanne shares her experiences as a young anthropologist conducting fieldwork in Greenland, where she lived among Inuit hunters and fishers while studying the impacts of climate change.

Whilst living among these families, she had the opportunity to witness parents interacting with their children. The parenting styles in the community initially led her to be critical. A wise lesson from an elder, which she didn't fully grasp at the time, emphasized that the most important task of a parent is to make their child laugh. This insight resonated later when she heard a child psychologist discuss the significance of a strong emotional bond between parents and children.

Now, as a mother of a toddler herself, Roanne reflects on these lessons, highlighting the importance of connection and joy in her parenting journey. 

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