Historical

1
Historical Cultural Context Age of
Enlightenment

• Nation-state takes up child care
• Children and progress an early social movement
• Transition from agrarian to trade-based economies
  (16th-17th) industrialization (18th) changed
  role of family
• Civil war in England (1640s) American
  revolution lack of common tradition in England
  and America
• Ripe for the ideas of Locke Rousseau

2
New questions about childhood

• Assumptions about human nature? Nature of
  children?
• What was the will of the child? Do you shape or
  control the will of the child?
• What forms of behavior were desired?
• What was the role of parents? What strategies of
  childrearing were advocated?

3
In Contrast to Puritan Corporal Punishment . . .

• Spare the rod and spoil the child
• Proverbs 1324
• Flapper
• Whispering sticks
• Ass of shame (child would wear dunces cap)

4
Age of Enlightenment

• Changing view of children in the family
• Changing role of parent
• Interest in childs education
• The Natural Child
• Childrens Clothing

5
Locke

• Human nature?
• Will of child?
• What was desired?
• Role of parents and childrearing?

6
Rousseau

• Human nature?
• Will of child?
• What was desired?
• Role of parents and childrearing?

7
Significance

• Nature/Nurture debate
• Wild boy of Aveyron (1798)
• Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding
• Developing child
• Active child
• Treat child with respect and reason

8
End of Enlightenment