Figure 1.--This is a scene at the NCH Sanatorium Harpenden in Essex at morning play time. Where
as in the photos of Swiss Sanatoria the children seem to be scantily dressed at all times. Here the children are dressed normally for play, but have sun bathing dress for lying about in the sun.
The game being played is probably Rounders, rather than Cricket. There is no wicket, the girl 'bowling is doing so underarm and both boys and girls are playing together. It seems to be an ac hoc game rather than organised - possibly for the benefit of the photographer.
Boys were involved in a range of institutions, many of which had destinctive uniforms or other clothing and associated dress standards. The most important of these institutions for children was of course schools. Schools of various types has existed such antiquity, but mostly for the elite. This began to change in Europe but at first in Germany with the Reformation. Schools in the 19th century schools became increasingly public institutions. England did not lead the way, but by the end of the century had a fine public school system. England has had a huge impact on educational around the world. This is in part because of its empire and the English lanuage. England did not, however lead the way in modern public meaning free state eduction. Here the leaders were America and Germany (18th centuy). Schooling was offered to all children with no required fees. The state schools did not have uniforms. Private schools did, but not the state primaries until after World War II. Compulsorty attendabce laws were introduced. Other important institutions which played important roles in the lives of children included: charity, health, recreational, reformatory institutions, and youth groups of various types. The English chariry institutioin sare some of best studied in the works. At the time, it was widely believed that immortality and poor character were the primary vause of ppverty. Since sickness and poverty often appeared together, providing spiritual guidance and moral uplift to the ill, in addition to offering food and clothing was seen as critical to helping the poor. It was one reason that religious groups became so involved. Ther was seen a need to sepoarate the needy into 'deserving' versus 'undeserving' individuals. This involvedf charitable organizations and hospitals (most with religious afiliations) decide who to aid. Children were a whole different category, many like Charles Dickens considered them innocent victims of their parents' bad choices and/or irresponsible lifestyles. They were this seen by a growing majority as unquestiinably deserving of assistance. Thus aiding them resulted in limited controversy. Charity institutions with increasingly human additudes have changed greatly over time. Youth groups were especially important in the 20th century.
England has had a huge impact on educational around the world. This is in part because of its empire and the English lanuage. England did not, however lead the way in modern public meaning free state eduction. Here the leaders were America and Germany (18th centuy). Free public education was one of the reason that boh america and Germany rose to such prominance and economic success (19th century). Here Britain lagged behind and private schools tended to dominate the nationl ethos. There was resisance to public education in Britain, primarily from the country's landed aristocracy, fearful that education would result in their farm workers' children would seek enoloyment elsewhere. As a result, the British wirking-class did not have universal access to free state primary schools until the late-19th century. Curiculum and teaching methods from the private sector have, however, proved influential in the development of public schools. And secondry education did not become widely avilable ti working-class children until after World War II. No country has inluenced the school uniforms worn by children around the world more than England. The tradition of school uniforms in England is a little complicated. School uniforms in England are oftn assocaiated with privlidged children at the country's elite private schools. Uniforms at school, however, were first worn by poor children at charity schools. Only later were they adopted by priavate schools, in typical British fashion, referred to as public schools. Children at the country's developing state school system during the late 19th and 20th century did not wear uniforms. Britain was late to provide a free public education to children. Some European countries, especially the Germans had a much more extensive public school system. Britain had a great variety of state and charity schools for those who could not afford a private education. Uniforms were first intriduced for children at charity schools to identifybthem and for purposes economy. Uniforms for the affluent children at private schools were introduced much later. Children at statte elementary schools until the 1960s did not commonly wear uniforms. Both privatevand state secondary schools did require uniforms. Uniforms served to build the esprit de corps of the school. Uniforms also prevented rich parents making poorer parents feel humble. Despite thism Left-wing politicians (Labour) in the 1960s and 1970s objected to uniforms which led to the individualistic fashion shows of today which make poorer parents subject to the new uniform dictates of "Nike", "Puma", "Adidas" and rendered blazers very expensive as suppliers shrank.
Until the 19th century, there were no facilities dedicated to the care of sick children in England. When they could not be cared for at home, children, like their parents, went to poorshouses. Orphaned or abandoned babiescommonly wrer cared for in infant asylums. Mortality rates at these instiutions were extrodinarily high. We begin to see the vfounding of special hospitals for children. Often general hospitals refused to admot sick children. The first peduatric hospitals were founded by relgious groups, not the state. These facilities commonly admitted indigent or abandoned children, mostly very young children. Some of whom, but by no means all—were also ill. Oher health facilities appeared. One of the most impoetant was sanatoria. This was an instutution primarily dealing with the increasing problem of tuberulosis, in part because of the conditions of the urban poor in the growing industrial cities. There were private sanatoria for the affluent. Religious groups by the turn-of-the 20th century were opening charity facilies for poor children. Sanatorium is a term generally associated with a medical facility for long-term illness, promsrilly the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in the late-19th century and erly-20th century before the discovery of antibiotics. In Britain we sometimes see the term used for facilities deling with mental disabilities.
The literature on English orphanages and work houses is legion. Of course most of our concept of English orphanges comes to us from the bleak descrioptions Charles Dickens provides in Oliver Twist. As bad as conditions were in 19th century English institutions, it should be remembered that these were some of the first attempts to deal with the problems of poverty. The Victorians viewd these efforts as Christian charity. Other strongly held Victorian values resulted in the creation of institutions that were in fact as bleak as Dickens described. Many Victorians saw poverty as a lack of effort and a result of a flawed character. Others felt that it was more charitable not to intervene and that Government action would simply foster a debter class that would create even more indigents. The English chariry institution are some of best studied in the works. At the time, it was widely believed that immortality and poor character were the primary vause of ppverty. Since sickness and poverty often appeared together, providing spiritual guidance and moral uplift to the ill, in addition to offering food and clothing was seen as critical to helping the poor. It was one reason that religious groups became so involved. There was seen a need to sepoarate the needy into 'deserving' versus 'undeserving' individuals. This involved charitable organizations and hospitals (most with religious afiliations) decide who to aid. Children were a whole different category, many like Charles Dickens considered them innocent victims of their parents' bad choices and/or irresponsible lifestyles. They were this seen by a growing majority as unquestiinably deserving of assistance. Thus aiding them resulted in limited controversy. Charity institutions with increasingly human additutes have changed greatly over time.
Uniformed youth groups were a limited succes at first, but this changed quickly after the appearance of Scouting in the 1900s. The Boys' Brigade was the first such group which appeared in the 1880s. Quite a number of other grouos were organized. In the 1900s these groups were surpased by the Scouts. Baden Powell first conceived of Scouting as a element of the Boys' Brigade. English boys, however, were attraccted by the outdoor activities and the more secular approach. Scouting was organized as a separate group and soon became the predominate youth organization in England. Unlike some other youth groups, Baden Powel promoted an internationist approach and the movement began to spread around the world. Interestingly only one Scout association was organized in England, unlike the European pattern where Scout associations were organized by different religions and secular groups. Also political parties did not organize nationalist youth groups as proved to be the case in Germany and other European countries.
