ABSTRACT
Not only are opportunities for experimentation unusually many; the risks of having made unsuccessful innovations have never been lower. Risks to children's present health or to their future survival can be corrected at a low cost and with little chance of permanent damage (assuming these are nonextreme, nonpathological experiments). Travel is relatively easy, safe, and cheap, as are other forms of communication. Food is also relatively reliably obtained, moderate in cost, and available all year. Our current cultural climate encourages open, flexible, individually generated experimentation, and has seldom if ever been as pervasive. New patterns of sexuality, parenting, and family roles are perceived as acceptable, and tolerated if not actively encouraged.
