A Century Of Childhood

by Robert Perks (Author), Steve Humphries (Author), Joanna Mack (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1988

  $3.27

  An illustrated social history of childhood during the 20th century, written to accompany a Channel Four television series. The authors chronicle the change in the way children have treated from the seen and not be heard days of the Edwardian era to the post-Spock liberalism of the 1960s and beyond. By drawing on reminiscences, the book gives a child's eye view of the experience of childhood and there are first-hand interviews telling what it was like to grow up in an exclusive boarding school, in a city slum or in an orphanage. The book charts the many changes in the kinds of relationships children have formed with parents, teachers, friends and family during the course of the century. It documents improvements in children's health from the 1900s, when one in four children died before reaching adulthood and reveals episodes and traditions from childhood in the past - like breeching, school strikes, tribal street wars and the secret sub-culture which flourished in children's institutions. Modern day childhood is also covered with the advent of television and computers and the new music industries which have become a part of children's recreation. Despite the fears of many that the innocence of childhood is being eroded, the authors argue that for many, childhood still remains a sheltered stage of life and show that 20th century childhood is one of parental indulgence, play and protection from many adult pressures. Steve Humphries is also author of the four volumes of The Making of Modern London , Christmas Past and A Secret World of Sex . Joanna Mack is the author of Poor Britain and London at War and Robert Perks is author of Destination Bradford .