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It was the Victorians in the 19th century that created the increasingly sentimental view of childhood now widely accepted. It was a further development of Enlightenment writings. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert set an example for a prim and proper family where the children are tenderly cared for within a loving family. An ever invreasing number of publications spewed our a torrent of advise to parents. The Victorian parents were advisded to deal with their children firmly, but more tenderly than in the past. Increasingly the mother was seen as the best equipped parent to deal with the children. This was in part because it was the other who was judged more capable through tenderness of reacing the child's heart and this set values and affect behavior. Often mothers cared for the children until they reached a ceratin age. (This was not the case in the English royal family where Albert played an important role, even with the younger children.) By the late 19th century, a very sentimental view of childhood had emerged, one of a golden period. The angelic Little Lord Fauntleroy outfits of the 1880s and 90s symbolized the new way in which children were viewed. Increasingly adults saw childhood as a time in which children needed to be protected from a host of complicated adult concerns. These were, however, middle class concerns. All to many children receiving little schooling, and having to enter the adult work force even before reaching their teen years.
European printing with moveable type began in Germany (15th century). The first newspapers also appeared in Germany (16th century), although there is some disagreement about just what was the first. Early newspapers dealt primarily with political issues. Magazines appeared (17th century), but did not becom common until later (18th century). The basic difference between ealy newspapers and magazines was periodicity and breath of subjct matter. Newspaper were heavy in polictics. Magazines sad suggested by the term had a wider subject coberage. (Magazine cones from Arabic for wearhouse.) They were perfect for much wider coverage including domestic advise. This is part of the reason that Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac became so popular. Major changes occurred (19th century). Newspapers and magazines were expensive. Only well to-do-people could aford to subscribe. Publishing was was ciostly. Paper was expensive. Printing was labor intnsive and trasportation expensive. This finally changed in the 19th century. Railroads significantl reduced shipping costs (mid-19th century). Major advances were made in printing. More efficent printing processes were develoed. Ads began to be used to generate income. As a result of these developments, newspaper and magazines fell within the price range of modest income middle-class families. We begin to see much larger press runs. This was beginning for the first family magazines, such as, Dickens Household Words. Domestic advise including child care suggestions. All kinds of theories on child advise appeared. These publications are a good source of information on attitudes toward childhood and child care. At the turn of the 20th century, photo-lithography rached the point tht photographs could be reproduced for printing.
It was the Victorians in the 19th century that created the increasingly sentimental view of childhood now widely accepted. It was a further development of Enlightenment writings. The Bouguereau painting here is a good exmple (figure 1). As a result major changes occurred in how children were viewed and treated. Previously children after the first few years were treated and dressed like small adults. Increasingly as the century progressed more nd more people bdgan to understand childhood as a very special period of human development requiring special understanding and treatment. Albert was raised in a dysfunctional family. He was determined that his children should have a perfect, stirybook childhood. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert set an example for a prim and proper family where the children were tenderly cared for within a loving family. Now it was not an accurate depiction of the exerince of most children, but it did reflect what more children experienced than ever before.
An ever invceasing number of publications spewed our a torrent of advise to parents. The Victorian parents were advisded to deal with their children firmly, but more tenderly than in the past. Some of the advise was surprising modern. Some was rather cruel or even indless. Some was rather amusing. The sheer volume was overwealming. There were both books and articles in a variety of magazines and other publicatiions. Women's magazines mixing fashion, cooking, childcarem, and other topics were very popular.
Advise books at the beginning of the century dealt with pratical matters like bathing and good manners.
As the centuty progessed we ee whst to do advice. And pyscicians began offering 'expert' pointers. Dr. William Dewees in 1825 offered suprisingly modern advise about cleanliness in his child cre mannual. He stressed keeping nursing bottles clean. This was before anything was known about germs. Dr. Deweesc also recommended babies be kept in dry diapers. Tht may seem obvious, but at the time many thought that wet diappers helped to toughen a baby.
Cathertine Beecher anf her better known sister Harier Beecher Stowe published a book, The American Woman's Home (1869) full of uplifting maxims for the young mother. They advised, "It is very injurious and derading to any mind to be kept undr the constant fear of penalties." Harpar's Baazar focusing on fashion was launched (1867). They offered advise on a wide range of topics. One difficult issue for adoring mothers was the appropriate age to breech her son. "Her disposition, with her natural feminine tastes and tenderness, is always inclining her to deck her child with the gewgaws of finery and coddle him with the delicate appliances of luxury," Baazar advised mothers. The expert continued, "The timely check from the manly boy may therefore prevent her from persisting in an effeminating process which would be sure, if continued, to deprive him of his best characteristics." [Bazaar Book of the Household, p. 214]
Attitudes toward childhood and child rearing had coalessed by the late-19th century. It could have not been mpre different than attitudes onlyba century earlier. Children became view as innocents. Childhood became viewed as a goldren period of life journey. Parents behan to think it was their responsibility from adult prblems and societal issues. Parenting advise began to adopt a more permissive view.
Increasingly the mother was seen as the best equipped parent to deal with the children. Fathers were previously seen ad the dominant figure. But as gentle, tender care became more important, mothers began to take on a more kmportant role. It was the mother who was judged more capable through tenderness of reacing the child's heart, setting values in place and affecting behavior. Often mothers cared for the children until they reached a ceratin age. (This was not the case in the English royal family where Albert played an important role, even with the younger children.)
A very sentimental view of childhood had emerged (late-19th century). Childhood came to be seen as a golden period of human development (late-19th century). The angelic Little Lord Fauntleroy outfits of the 1880s and 90s symbolized the new way in which children were viewed. Increasingly adults saw childhood as a time in which children needed to be protected from a host of complicated adult concerns.
A golden care-free childhood was unfortunaely a middle class experience. All too many children receiving little schooling. Many countries including England were very late in creating free public education systems. Many children had to enter the adult work force even before reaching their teen years. Through the 19th century there were no child labor laws. Work houses for the poor were brutal and degrading. Contrary to popular belief, child labor did not begin with theIndustrial Revolution. Thast is sbsurd. Children since the dawn of time worked. It is obly with the Industrial Revolution that society began to see child labor as a problem and began to formulate public policy to end it. this too began to change as a result of both capialism nd the Industrial Revolution. These two developments had two profound impacts. First they created a huge, socially and politically active middle class that demanded reforms. Second they created the wealth that gave societ the money needed to aford child labor laes, public schools, and arange of welfare efforts like orphanages. Orphanages were established during the later half of the 19th century, but were often inadequate.
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