Apush Dbq Research Paper
Child-rearing was an evolving practice within the English upper class from the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries. A new adult view of children as mature, fragile and inherently good led to changes in the nursing, care, and discipline of English, aristocratic children.
In the 16th century, much in accordance with the Puritan doctrine, children were seen as naturally evil beings. As stated by Robert Cleaver, a Calvinist Minister. Children were " wayward and impulsive inclined to evil."(Doc. 1) This is no surprise because Calvinists believed in pre-destination leaving little room to either hell or heaven. While a minister may have such negative view points, other members of English society had similar experiences. Lady Jane reflected …show more content…
on her childhood to be one of a negative upbringing " sharply taunted with pinching and bobs I think myself to be in hell."(Doc. 10) Adult practices to their children in the 16th Century were in fact themselves wayward and hellish, adults thought " they must correct and sharply reprove their children for saying or doing ill." As suggested by Robert Cleaver in (Doc.1) But not only ministers thought these acts would be effective with children even Christian men thought this. Bartholomew Batty author of The Christian Man's Closet wrote " cast them on the ground and spurned and kicked them like dogs."(Doc.11) this shows all adults of all different religions, and positions in society, thought severe beatings were the best ways to discipline their children. These were religious ways to get children in line.
However, the enlightenment religious beliefs of the 17th century and the Anglican Church brought about a new and differing view of children.
Offspring were effectively blank-slates and, left to their own devices, happy and benevolent. As stated by John Earle an Anglican minister "...His soul yet a blank paper unscribbled with observations of the world" (Doc.2) The new society's physical punishments were now left to a rod or cane that were used in moderation, children were looked on as innocent and purely happy (Doc.2) but children still needed to be obedient as written by Sir George Savile, first Marquis of Halifax "You must begin early to make your children love you so that they will obey you"(Doc.12) Adult practices drastically changed in the 17th century. Also the rod was only used for the most egregious of mistakes. Some members of the aristocracy abandoned physical punishment altogether, instead relying on the encouragement of good behavior with rewards. However, this method of child-rearing often led to bratty behavior in children. Sir George Savile said that you must be Kind but Firm to keep your children in line at all times (Doc.12). These statements show that children may have been the same people they were before, yet now they were looked on as purely happy, gentle creatures, able to be treated with respect and
loving.
At the height of the industrial revolution children were viewed as merely miniature adults and were fit to have responsibilities to keep them busy shown in a letter written by an Anglican Rector to the Verney Family" and on church days has the sole responsibility for the ringing of the bell."(Doc.3) this showed that children that may have their quarrels yet could still hold small responsibilities to delight them on normal everyday tasks. Children were seen as a joy to have around as said by Lady Duncannon about her husband "He really is almost out of his senses with joy, and can see, think and talk of nothing but his child." The industrial revolution brought a new side of parents happily willing to spend time with their children and cherish every moment they had with each other.
In conclusion, the changes in nursing, child care and discipline are all symptoms of a greater change, one which had religious, scientific and social roots. The newly enlightened English aristocracy changed the way in reared its children and its future generation, and in thus doing, changed the future of England.
In the 16th century, much in accordance with the Puritan doctrine, children were seen as naturally evil beings. As stated by Robert Cleaver, a Calvinist Minister. Children were " wayward and impulsive inclined to evil."(Doc. 1) This is no surprise because Calvinists believed in pre-destination leaving little room to either hell or heaven. While a minister may have such negative view points, other members of English society had similar experiences. Lady Jane reflected …show more content…
on her childhood to be one of a negative upbringing " sharply taunted with pinching and bobs I think myself to be in hell."(Doc. 10) Adult practices to their children in the 16th Century were in fact themselves wayward and hellish, adults thought " they must correct and sharply reprove their children for saying or doing ill." As suggested by Robert Cleaver in (Doc.1) But not only ministers thought these acts would be effective with children even Christian men thought this. Bartholomew Batty author of The Christian Man's Closet wrote " cast them on the ground and spurned and kicked them like dogs."(Doc.11) this shows all adults of all different religions, and positions in society, thought severe beatings were the best ways to discipline their children. These were religious ways to get children in line.
However, the enlightenment religious beliefs of the 17th century and the Anglican Church brought about a new and differing view of children.
Offspring were effectively blank-slates and, left to their own devices, happy and benevolent. As stated by John Earle an Anglican minister "...His soul yet a blank paper unscribbled with observations of the world" (Doc.2) The new society's physical punishments were now left to a rod or cane that were used in moderation, children were looked on as innocent and purely happy (Doc.2) but children still needed to be obedient as written by Sir George Savile, first Marquis of Halifax "You must begin early to make your children love you so that they will obey you"(Doc.12) Adult practices drastically changed in the 17th century. Also the rod was only used for the most egregious of mistakes. Some members of the aristocracy abandoned physical punishment altogether, instead relying on the encouragement of good behavior with rewards. However, this method of child-rearing often led to bratty behavior in children. Sir George Savile said that you must be Kind but Firm to keep your children in line at all times (Doc.12). These statements show that children may have been the same people they were before, yet now they were looked on as purely happy, gentle creatures, able to be treated with respect and
loving.
At the height of the industrial revolution children were viewed as merely miniature adults and were fit to have responsibilities to keep them busy shown in a letter written by an Anglican Rector to the Verney Family" and on church days has the sole responsibility for the ringing of the bell."(Doc.3) this showed that children that may have their quarrels yet could still hold small responsibilities to delight them on normal everyday tasks. Children were seen as a joy to have around as said by Lady Duncannon about her husband "He really is almost out of his senses with joy, and can see, think and talk of nothing but his child." The industrial revolution brought a new side of parents happily willing to spend time with their children and cherish every moment they had with each other.
In conclusion, the changes in nursing, child care and discipline are all symptoms of a greater change, one which had religious, scientific and social roots. The newly enlightened English aristocracy changed the way in reared its children and its future generation, and in thus doing, changed the future of England.