Historical Parenting

The Expert Opinion

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In 1878, in The Physical Life of Woman,  Dr. Goerge H. Napheys used the the work of Dr. Henry Kennedy to express the childbearing views of his era. Dr. Kennedy’s research showed that in order for a child to maintain good health, the baby must sleep facing the North. Kenndey’s reasoning behind this view was that there are electrical currents that are known to be “in one direction around that globe.” Kennedy felt that these electrical currents were in someway connected to the body’s nervous system.

In the 1920s,  in a book entitled Searchlights on Health: The Science of Eugenics” by B. G. Jefferis and J. L. Nichols, pregnant women are encouraged to avoid thoughts of ugly people, as well as those with diseases and deformities. This book along with many other books of its time referenced the word “eugenics”. This word holds a much different meaning to us today, however in previous times the word held was a positive one that meant the development of strength and qualities for future generations.

Although these literary texts were written during a time of scientific thought and development, in many ways these ideas lacked sufficient evidence. This is a clear indication of the ways in which science is heavily influenced by opinion with little regard for facts. This in many ways leads me to wonder whether or not the parenting norms accepted today are in someway built on the accepted facts and ideas of previous times.

In 1916, mothers were encouraged to show as little affection as possible. In fact authors like Drs. Lena and William Sadler advised when to hold their babies as little as possible. They also suggested that it is best for babies to be held to a structured life of schedules and  discipline. Many felt that is was best to raise  a child in this manner, so they  would not disrupt the parents’ lives. The Sadler’s also suggested that crying was essential in order for a child to develop good lungs, so there was no need to pacify crying children.

Dr. Rima Apple, the author of Perfect motherhood: Science and Childbearing in America was able to provide sound insight as to why the parenting of previous times was not as ridiculous as we might think. She insists that the way childrearing was done in past times made sense considering its time. Studies from the Center of Disease and Control showed that in 1900 approximately, 10 to 30 percent of all American babies born died before the age of one. In many cases, babies dies of thinks like poor drinking water, consuming unpasteurized milk, measles, and whooping cough, all of which a preventable today. Fearful that their children might die, parents often took any advice given to them in order to keep their children healthy and alive.  Also, men felt that being published authors helped them when they moved to different regions. Men felt writings helped contribute to their qualifications and validity when moving to a region where they were not well known. 

Fathers and Daughters

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The dynamic of relationships among fathers and daughters seems to have remained the same despite changes in time. In fact, Spock's views on the father, daughter relationship are quiet relevant to many today.

- A girl needs a friendly father as well.  A girl gains confidence and approval in her role as a woman from her father. It’s important for dad’s to complement their daughters and to show interest in her thoughts and ideas as she becomes opinionated

- A father should accept his daughter's boyfriends even if he doesn’t feel they are good enough for her

- The kind of men a girl likes and the kind of a marriage she has are all influenced by the kind of relationship she has with her father during her childhood

Fathers and Sons

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Likewise, Spock provides sound insight into the father, son relationship. It is safe to say that many of these ideas are foundational in the parenting tendencies adopted today.

- A boy needs a friendly, and  accepting father. It is important for the father to come and spend meaningful time with his son. It is better for the father to spend fifteen minutes of quality time as opposed to spending time with the son being unenthusiastic and critical. 

-It is in a father’s nature to want his son to be the best, but it is important for a father not to be critical but to simply enjoy and encourage his child. A critical father causes the son to feel that he is no good and that his father does not approve of him.

-  A boy doesn’t grow up to be a man just because of his body but because of the things he feels and his behavior. Boys like to imitate pattern after the friendly and accepting boys/men around him.

Mothers and Daughters

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The mother, daughter relationship is generally a strong relationship. However, it is often full of complex moments of intensity.

-Mothers were often given the responsibility of teaching their's about domestic life, like cooking and cleaning

-Mothers marketed their daughters for marriage by helping them to prepare for a relationship

- The oldest daughter in the family often assists her mother in raising children and taking care of the house. This was thought to prepare her for life with her own family and in her own home. 

Mothers and Sons

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The mother, son relationship was generally a close knit relationship. 
-In many ways, the mother helps her son to develop confidence in his relationships with women.
-The mother must always be cautious not to baby her son too much or else the son might become a cry baby

-A boy's relationship with his mother plays a critical role in his view of relationships. As he gets older and becomes attracted to a woman, many of his ideas toward woman will be influenced by the habits of his mother and the other women in his life, like his sisters.

-Boys early on tend to gravitate toward spending time with their mother and sister(s). However as they become older, boys should spend less time enjoying indoor activities and should begin to spend more time outside learning to perform the more stereotypical masculine activities. 
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