Children and Childhood: A History

What is Childhood?

According to the Dictionary Definition … Childhood is the state or period of being a child between infancy and adolescence.

Childhood Today Children are protected and kept apart from adult society in many ways. Most are kept from the adult realities of birth, death, jobs, unemployment, and daily hardships.

Childhood in the Past In earlier times, it was much harder to distinguish children from adults. They were an integral part of adult society.

Aboriginal Childhood and Adolescence Historically, children were valued in Aboriginal cultures and treated with respect. A child was as much a member of the community as an adult. The birth of a child tied families more closely to their ancestors. Children were not a burden because child care was often a collective task in the kin group. Everyone contributed to nurturing and socializing children. The elderly within the community played the valued role of sharing their wisdom with the young and guided them in the spiritual and ritual customs of their culture.

Roles of male and female children As male children grew old enough to spend time away from the female caregivers, they joined their fathers, uncles and other male elders in the daily pursuit of food and the production of necessary implements. Female children joined the women in food preparation, carrying, gathering, and making blankets, clothing, and adornment. Older kids also cared for younger children. The roles of male and female were clearly delineated as part of the socialization process. Male children imitated and learned the male role, while female children imitated and learned the female role. There was a smooth transition between boy and man, girl and woman.

Transition from childhood to adulthood The transition from childhood to adulthood was fairly rapid. Boys achieved adult status when they were able to complete a task of adult significance, such as killing a moose. Girls became adults when they began menstruating. In many groups, depending on their religious and cultural beliefs, rituals and ceremonies marked the significant event that symbolized the transition to adulthood. Social scientists call the ceremonial recognition for achieving adulthood a rite of passage.

Marriage Marriage was the next step after puberty was reached. The wishes of the parents and elders of the community prevailed. The elders chose a young person’s spouse and either a bride price or dowry was paid. A bride price was either a token or goods given to the father of the bride by the groom as a form of payment for the bride. The dowry was goods or property given to the groom’s family in return for marrying the bride. After the marriage ceremony and celebration, the newly married couple, likely 14-16 years old, took their place in adult society.