Underrepresentation of most childhoods in the study of development. Latin American researchers’ insights on limitations, advances, and challenges

Abstract

This manuscript discusses the underrepresentation of childhoods from Majority worldsettings -especially from Latin America- in developmental psychology research, particularlyhighlighting the biases, limitations, and advances made in Latin America in the pasttwo decades. It stresses biases in sampling, publishing, fundings, and theory that reinforceMinority perspectives. While focusing on Latin America, these challenges extend to otherMajority contexts. The authors advocate for a systemic-relational approach encompassingbiological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions and their interdependencies, instudies that better represent the varied contexts and experiences of child developmentworldwide, to inform a relevant understanding of childhood and development.