Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans

Michaeleen Doucleff is the author of Hunt, Gather, Parent and serves as both a researcher and protagonist in the book. Before writing this work, she was a reporter for NPR, specializing in medical sciences, including infectious diseases, vaccines, and children’s health. Her scientific background as a Berkeley-trained chemist gives her a research-driven perspective, but her transition to parenting journalism was deeply personal—stemming from her struggles raising her daughter, Rosy. Her reporting experience took her to remote locations worldwide, which ultimately shaped her approach to studying parenting across cultures.

Doucleff’s role in the book extends beyond that of an observer; she is also a struggling parent seeking solutions. Her willingness to immerse herself in Maya, Inuit, and Hadzabe communities demonstrates both curiosity and humility. Rather than positioning herself as an expert with all the answers, she presents herself as a learner, making her work more accessible to readers. Her transformation from a parent who relied on Western parenting norms to one who embraced more collaborative, autonomy-supportive practices highlights the core argument of the book: that traditional parenting methods, honed over generations, often align more closely with children’s natural development than modern, control-based approaches.