论哈萨克还子习俗及其成因

On Kazak Nationality's Custom of Adopting Grandchildren and the Cause of Formation

哈萨克老人有收养长孙或长孙女,并将之视为己之"小儿子"或"小女儿"的习惯,这就是哈萨克的还子习俗。它的形成有其特定的社会历史原因,首先,它是作为保护婴幼儿健康成长的一种措施而形成的;其次,它是因哈萨克人义务抚养遗孤的传统而延续之习俗;最后,它是作为缓解游牧社会老人孤独,减轻年轻父母负担的一种特殊方式而产生的。随着社会变迁,还子习俗呈现衰微之势,直至消失。

There was a custom in Kazak nationality that the old adopted the grandson or granddaughter and regarded them as their youngest sons or daughters. There are specified social and historical reasons for it. First, it was formed as a measure to safeguard children for their growth. Second, it is the continuation of the custom that Kazak people fostered orphans for free. Last, it came into being as a means of alleviating the loneliness of old people in the nomadic nationality, and of lessening the burden of the young parents. With the development of the society, this custom declined gradually, and disappeared at last.