ABSTRACT
In late twelfth-century China, the author of a guide for family life named Yuan Cai matter-of-factly explained the origins of the bond between parents and children:
Babies are closely attached to their parents, and parents are extremely generous with their love for their babies, doing everything possible to care for them. The reason would seem to be that not long has passed since they were one flesh and blood, and besides, a baby’s sounds, smiles, and gestures are such that they bring out the love in people. Furthermore, the Creator has made such attachment a principle of nature, to ensure that the succession of births will continue uninterrupted. Even the most insignificant insect, bird, or animal behaves in this way. When the young first emerges from the womb or shell, these creatures suckle it or feed it pre-chewed food, going to all lengths to care for it. If something threatens their young, they protect it, heedless of their own safety.
