evolution of childhood

By Maria goenaga
  • 400 BCE

    Stage of infanticide

    Children are often viewed as miniature adults, and childhood is often cut short by rising infant mortality, creating expectations of early employment to support the family. But the descendants of the nobles enjoyed a more structured education.
  • 321 BCE

    Infanticide – Antiquity to the IV century

    In times gone by, parents' lack of knowledge about child-rearing led to the belief that children were mere possessions of their own. In cases of family discomfort, regrettably, some resorted to drastic measures and took their lives, without facing consequences due to the unfortunate normalization of this practice.
  • 301 BCE

    Abandonment

    During this time the idea that the boy has a soul and humanity is accepted, but challenges force the decision to surrender. The first institution that accepted children from different countries was started by Pope Innocent III. When parents begin to recognize that their children have souls, the only way to alleviate their suffering is to resort to abandonment.
  • 1337

    Ambivalence (XIV - XVII Century)

    Children begin to explore their emotional lives within the familial context, coinciding with the emergence of child protection agencies and parenting guides. The understanding grows that children, akin to pliable clay, ought to be shaped by human and religious influences. In the era under the reign of Peter IV (1337), a distinct separation between family and educational institutions took shape, delineating the structure of child developmental education.

  • Intrusion (18th Century)

    The relationship between parents and children maintains a degree of closeness, although playing with the child is not a prevalent practice; instead, the dominance of the child's will is prominent. While the use of physical punishment and discipline endures, it is no longer executed systematically. The child starts to be seen as an imperfect miniature adult. It was during this time that the field of pediatrics was born.

  • Socialization (19th Century First half of the 19th Century)

    Parents adopt the role of guiding their children to aid them in adapting and becoming socially adept. During this time, there is an increasing emphasis on the process of socializing children, a trend evident in educational treaties. Remarkably, for the first time, parents exhibit a systematic concern for the well-being of their offspring.

  • 20th and 21st century

    There are legal safeguards to ensure the well-being of children, who are often properly raised and cared for by their guardians. Crimes like child abuse, neglect, and even murder are taken very seriously and have serious consequences. The introduction of the 2010 Equality Act marked an important step in ensuring equal rights for all, including children and young people, while striving to ensure fair opportunities for all.