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The History of Childhood. Paradigm Shifts in Western Childhood. Children in the Middle Ages : 500-1450 (Europe). Infancy is the only period of “childhood” Once a child is able to eat, sleep, dress, and act independently. Children expected to enter adult society
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The History of Childhood Paradigm Shifts in Western Childhood
Children in the Middle Ages:500-1450 (Europe) • Infancy is the only period of “childhood” • Once a child is able to eat, sleep, dress, and act independently. Children expected to enter adult society • Lower class children worked on the family property. Upper class children were apprentices/courtiers. • Young people take on the work of an adult as they are able. • Children Acculturated/Not Educated. • Children dressed and acted as adults -- with what exceptions? • Who is excluded from this paradigm?
Children in the Renaissance: 1400-1550 (Europe) • Infancy is “childhood” • More and more noble children are tutored before they become courtiers. • Children’s “games” are preparation for adulthood with serious consequences. • Children are “workers” in all classes. • Lower classes work at home. Upper class children are sent off. • Children dressed and acted as adults with the noted exceptions. • Apprenticeship Leagues Begin • Who is excluded from this paradigm?
Children in the Reformation1500-1650 (Europe) • Infancy is “childhood” • Age of Reason Established • Religious Education Essential • Children still seen as workers. Their role depends on their class. • The Work Ethic Established • Children are still seen as little adults. • Grammar Schools Begin • Who is excluded from this paradigm?
Children in the Enlightenment: 1650- 1790(Europe) • Children as a Blank Slate (Locke 1690s) • Children learn through Experience • Proper Experience = Education • Children still seen as workers in the lower class. Upper class children can still be apprenticed/courtiers. • Noble Children are Pretty Toys • Children dressed and acted as adults with the noted exceptions. • Beginning of Children’s Literature for entertainment (1740s Newbery) • Who is excluded from this paradigm?
Children in the Industrial Revolution:1790-1850 ( US) • Children as a Blank Slate • Upper Class Children Staying with their families. • Children learn through Experience • Massive Urbanization & Colonization • Children as Laborers Essential to lower class families in farming and industry. • Beginning of national school systems • Growth of Children’s Literature • Increasing Immigration • Children as “innocent” (Pastoral) • Boom in children’s toys and clothing • Who is excluded from this paradigm?
Children in the Gilded Age: 1850 -1918 (United States) • Education is Mandatory • First Children’s Room in a library (1890) • New laws to protect children • Golden Era of Children’s Literature (1860s-1930s) • Growth of the Middle Class • Growth of child services • Children as “innocent” • Massive Immigration/Assimilation • Adolescence as a separate stage. • Who is excluded from this paradigm?