The History of Childhood

The History of Childhood traces the evolution of parent-child relationships from antiquity through modern times. DeMause examines historical documents, letters, and medical records to document how children were treated across different societies and eras. The book presents evidence of widespread practices including infanticide, abandonment, physical abuse, and child labor throughout history. Through multiple case studies and historical examples, deMause analyzes how attitudes toward children and childrearing methods changed over centuries. The work follows a chronological structure, moving from ancient civilizations through medieval Europe and into the modern age. Each chapter focuses on specific time periods and geographic regions while building a larger narrative about the progression of childhood. At its core, this scholarly examination challenges romanticized views of historical childhood and argues that the treatment of children has gradually improved over time. The text raises questions about human nature, social progress, and how societies view their most vulnerable members.

Readers view this academic text as a detailed but controversial examination of childhood through history. The book's central thesis about systematic child abuse in earlier periods resonates with many readers' understanding of historical records. Readers appreciate: - Extensive primary source documentation - Clear chronological organization - Detailed examples from different time periods - Direct quotes from historical documents Common criticisms: - Overly deterministic view of historical progress - Cherry-picking of extreme examples - Lack of cultural context for historical practices - Writing style described as "academic and dry" One reader noted: "deMause presents compelling evidence but pushes interpretations too far." Another wrote: "Important research but conclusions feel predetermined." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (15 ratings) Most academic reviewers cite the book's research value while disputing its broader conclusions about the evolution of parent-child relationships.

A History of Children by Colin Heywood This book traces the social, economic, and cultural experiences of children from the Middle Ages to modern times through primary sources and historical records.

The Child in Time by Hugh Cunningham The text examines childhood as a social construct from 1800 to the present, focusing on how Western societies have understood and shaped children's lives.

Centuries of Childhood by Philippe Ariès This foundational work demonstrates how the concept of childhood emerged as a distinct life phase through analysis of medieval art, schooling, games, and family relationships.

Children and Childhood in Western Society Since 1500 by Hugh Cunningham The work presents evidence of how families, communities, and states have treated children across five centuries of European and American history.

Growing Up by Peter N. Stearns This global history of childhood covers multiple cultures and time periods, examining education, work, play, and family relationships through historical documentation.

🔹 Lloyd deMause coined the term "psychohistory" and founded The Journal of Psychohistory in 1973, applying psychological principles to understand historical events and figures. 🔹 The book argues that the further back in history one goes, the lower the level of child care, with routine infanticide, abandonment, and severe physical punishment being common practices in earlier periods. 🔹 When first published in 1974, the book sparked significant controversy by challenging the romantic notion that childhood was better in the "good old days." 🔹 The research spans nearly 2,000 years of parent-child relations across various cultures, drawing from sources including diaries, autobiographies, medical texts, and legal documents. 🔹 DeMause's work influenced the development of trauma-informed historical analysis, suggesting that childhood experiences of historical figures significantly shaped major historical events and societal changes.