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476
Mediaval
The typical pattern of the western Europe family was a simple nuclear family with parents and children's
A controversial issue during this age was whether children were considered as mini-adults or not. Most medieval historians give a negative image of medieval childhood.
Children were likely to be killed, abandoned, exposed to diseases, and sexually abused. -
1472
Early modern periods
Education was an important matter. Religion and etiquette were also important in children's learning.
The concept of "childhood" began in Europe, children were separate beings from adults
There was the notion of a new family centered around the upbringing of children. -
Enlightment
Childhood as a locus of divinity and innocence, also a concept with it's own autonomy.
Authors often describe childhood as a period of innocence before they encounter the hardships of adult life.
Children are viewed and acknowledged as being powerless and inferior to the adult world surrounding them due to the myth of childhood innocence being accepted and acknowledged by society -
Industrialisation
Child labour was common during preindustrial times, however, children were especially hired in factories and mines where conditions were not safe.
This led to campaigns and reforms that attacked child labour that ended in legal intervention in order to protect children -
Modern childhood
The concept emphasises the sanctity of children and the important role of family in development.
Children were decisively removed from workplaces to schools.
In mid 20th century America, there was intense interest in using institutions to support the innate creativity of children.
Finally much of contemporary western perceptions of children and childhood still stems from the idea of the "nuclear family"
