Fostering at Holds tends to be done at a later age, with most holders raising their own children, and no small children being fostered out except those orphaned by the loss of their mother or both parents. The exception would be Lord Holders, whose wives often have other duties to encompass their time and energies to assist their husbands. Those of any larger Hold's bloodline (whether the father is a Lord Holder or simply head of a very large Hold) would most likely be fostered to other holds about the age of nine or ten, both to allow heirs to learn Hold management from outside the family and to formulate stronger bonds with other Holds. Males are usually summoned home by about age fifteen or sixteen to utilize their skills for their home Hold. Females tend to be fostered out in hopes of finding marriage prospects beyond their home Holds.

Keep in mind that a Hold is not entirely populated by crafters and the Lord Holder's family. A major Hold (such as Amethyst Cliff, Emerald Falls, Garnet Valley, Jade Harbor, Opal Cove, or Topaz Sea Hold) could accomodate a population of 500-1000 people - _just_ at the main Hold itself. Each major Hold would have 3-4 minor Holds whose Holders rank just under the Lord Holders, with populations of 300-500 themselves, and then there would be many smaller holds and cotholds, ranging from tiny single family cotholds to larger holds of about 200 residents.

Regular holdfolk would not foster their children, most needing the extra hands at home to help keep the family's cothold running smoothly. The children from smaller holdings would be taught to read and write by their parents, with occasional visits from travelling harpers. Those holds with more children than they can support would seek apprenticeships or employment for children once they'd reached twelve or thirteen to relieve the burden on their cothold. Recall in Earth history where family's had to have a dozen children simply to raise a handful to adulthood, and you're thinking more along the lines of Pern. Pern does not have all the gadgets and gizmos of Earth - work is done by the toil of strong backs and skilled hands - which requires more labor than machine-driven society. Considering the fact that Pern hasn't the technology for things such as routine immunizations and life-support systems, common illnesses irradicated on Earth could be fatal on Pern, as well as the usual accidents that occur in an agrarian society.

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