It takes a village

Posted by ESC on February 28, 2002

In Reply to: Meaning posted by Stephanie on February 28, 2002

: What does it mean when someone says, "it takes a village to raise a child"?

I am away from my library right now. But I believe that's an African proverb. It means that raising a child well takes the love and care of not just parents but the whole community -- the preacher, the teacher, the extended family. An illustration: the fictional town of Mayberry. Everyone in the town looked out for little Opie.