What is Childhood?

Philippe Arles

•In his influential 1960 book, Centuries of Childhood, the French historian Philippe Arlès, argued that “childhood” is a modern concept.

•Before the 17th century, children were represented as greatly different from adults and not given significantly different treatment.

•In ancient and medieval times, children were trained for work by their families. The ability to read was not common.

Creation of Childhood Concept

John Locke (1632-1704)
by John Greenhill (d. 1676)

•John Locke, the English philosopher and physician, was influential in the new attitude towards children in his 1690 An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. 

•The human mind is a blank slate and parents have a duty to teach their children correct notions of morality and social behavior. 

•Easy pleasant books are important to provide to children.