Nederlands

Children in Jordan
  We recognize influences of several countries. Obviously also the children's signs are part of the project which is introduced at the page about Men at work. Our teams came back with panels reminiscent of Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and perhaps Italy. All have in common that the girl takes the lead. That is remarkable. Is it a hint to the male part of the population? Or is it just based on the facts of life? Girls, if they like it or not, often have to take care of their young brothers.

There is a huge difference in quality in the drawing of the most common children's sign. Look to what can happen to the feet and the head.
Wadi as Sir, 26.XII.2000; pict. Baeten & De Dier
 
Dana - Tafila, IV.2004;
pict. Vanacker & Kesteleyn		 Dana, IV.2004 Jerash, IV.2004;
pict. Vanacker & Kesteleyn		 Dana - Tafila, IV.2004;
pict. Vanacker & Kesteleyn
 
Dana - Tafila, IV.2004;
pict. Vanacker & Kesteleyn		 Dana - Tafila, IV.2004;
pict. Vanacker & Kesteleyn		 Wadi as Sir, 26.XII.2000;
pict. Baeten & De Dier
 
Sometimes something strange happens to the signs inspired by the Swedish example. On more than one site the usual European colour scheme was replaced by New-world elements. The result is a hybrid of a European triangle with a pair of Swedish children drawn on an American yellow background with thin black borderline.     Great Britain also succeeded into influencing the right man in the department. The difference between the Swedish and the UK kind is that the UK-children are in a hurry and that the girl crushes a foot of the boy.
 
This find is probably the answer to the opening question. The girl (now grown-up) still walks ahead, but the man took over. He now takes her with the elbow, she has lost control.
My conclusion therefore is that the designs are based on the facts of life. Except for the clothing, obviously.
Wadi Musa, IV.2004;
pict. Vanacker & Kesteleyn
Path: Home / Country list / Children in depth / Children in Jordan  e-mail:  
More signs from Jordan: Men at work - Falling rocks