Children English law Children under 7 considered not to know right from wrong 7-14: presumption that they did not know right from wrong, but that could be overcome with evidence 14-18: presumption that they do know right from wrong, but could be overcome with evidence

Attitudes toward children Children were treated like adults Same punishment, even death Early codes recognized special needs such as guardianship, adoption, runaways Harsh treatment Protestant reformation: children wicked but worth saving

Factors influencing attitudes Development of medical science: childhood mortality dropped Birthrates dropped Increased investment in children—they will live

Factors influencing attitudes Industrial revolution: migration to cities Increased difficulties in supervising children Child labor Eventually, pressure to reserve labor for adults (unions, child savers)

Attitudes toward children Rise of education Children removed from labor market Increased emphasis on skills necessary for success in a technological society Stratification of children by ages and separation from adults Less options for youth other than education

Attitudes toward children Rise of psychiatry, child psychology, and social work Psychiatry: application of medical model to behavior—diagnosis, treatment and cure Child psychology: discovery of differences in learning and processing, different developmental stages Social work: dealing with social problems, rather than letting things happen

Attitudes toward children Child savers Jane Addams, Hull House in Chicago Child savers usually middle to upper class, well-educated, often female Wanted to help, protect and instill young people with proper values Advocated child labor laws and compulsory education, emphasized children’s differences