Children were rarely hit in traditional Mori society, but once British settlements were established in the mid-19th century, physical discipline became common across all communities. Parents gave their boys more mobility, authority, and respect, but in the end, parents also expected their boys to settle down and have a family. In 1690, Locke published the Essay Concerning Human Understanding, and presented the idea that children resemble a blank tablet (tabula rasa) at birth, and they are not predisposed to sin. It logically follows that we can choose to pick out the "good" parts about what it was like to be a child in the 1950s and avoid the "bad" parts and integrate them into what it means to be a child today. There was a greater consensus that good manners were more important in society back then and this impacted how people disciplined their children. Simmering beneath the image of the "perfect family" was discontent with the status quo that led to the tumultuous family life of 1960s. var sc_security="b44d1fc3"; var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? Discipline at home in the 1930s was viewed purely in the form of punishment for bad behavior, according to Ted Johnson in his thesis on child-rearing practices up to the 1950s. Although some mothers did work outside of the home, the job of parenting fell much more unequally on their shoulders than it does for modern day moms and dads. } else { Disciplining children in the 1950s has often been regarded as strict, harsh and oppressive. However, elders who look back at what life was like in the '50s see a lack of morals in today's society that affects how children grow up. However, the suburbs also reflected socioeconomic and racial homogeneity. Read on to discover what parenting was like in the 1950s. Children were beaten at school for minor infractions, then beaten again for the same infraction at home. They couldnt be said to me as I had curly hair but I still had to eat my crusts. This new form of music gave teens an outlet for their rebellious energy. Personal judgments of individual teachers waned; their power from "in loco parentis" died. You could never leave the table at dinner time without asking permission first. Six years of hardship and rationing meant that parents had little time for children being fussy about food. In the 21st century, moms are able to do it all. Today, it remains legal in 19 states. It began the "zero tolerance" era in American public schools. As far as sex goes, most 1950s teenagers were shy virgins. "School would train children how to behave, how to be members of society, be good citizens, be responsible," Kafka said. My elbow was broken. The general thinking was "spare the rod and spoil the child." Much of the above would remain for some years to follow, but the main change in 'youth' came about in the mid 1960's. There were grisly stories written for children to shock them into behaving. Corporal punishment was practiced frequently, and this was taken for granted by the childrens parents. Stern words from our parents is usually all it took to keep the discipline in our homes.PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTSThanks for watching.My website http://southern. Boys were encouraged to enlarge themselves, explore, and claim extra territory. Women often participated in abuse. Even as children, girls felt family and societal pressure to focus their aspirations on home, husband, and children instead of higher education. google_ad_client = "pub-8169839591209017"; Some readers who date back to those years will recognise these even if they didnt hear them all said in their own households. Its worth remembering that our parents had been brought up by parents who had Victorian parents and some of the rigid expectations of children from that time were passed down through the generations. You would take it off if you met or you were talking to a Lady. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Child Rearing Beliefs & Practices in Indian Culture, Beliefs, Values and Customs of Chinese Parents, How Parents Discipline Their Children in Africa, The Effects of Parents Being Absent From the Home, Child-Rearing Practices in Different Cultures, The Parental Influences on Children's Identity. How Does a Parent's Absence Affect Teens? There are many options children in abusive situations have in order to better their lives. Teaching children how to act has been on the minds of parents and authorities since the written word. Instead of an egalitarian family style in which everyone gets a vote, parents during this time were directive. Life continues. "Please" and "Thank you" were compulsory and unlike nowadays, if you didn't say it, it wasn't a case of the Adult saying what an impolite young child you . This led to Hollywood focusing more and more on this younger teenage market. That started to change around the turn of the century. Daily care activities, discipline and communication with children was the woman's job. Disciplining children in the 1950s has often been regarded as strict, harsh and oppressive. The same aunt later locked him in his room to punish him for hitting her own child (who was biting Augustus). At the same time, most children were too busy helping their families survive to express the same type of defiance kids often do today. The techniques are based on treating children with more respect than was commonly seen in that era and focused on parental education in the ways of child rearing to better prepare parents for the sociological impact of their discipline techniques. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. There is a rich history of parents ripping their hair out over their children's less-than-desirable behavior. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. Children today might find this hard to believe, but for much of the 20th century, it was relatively common for young children to walk home by themselves. Similarly, while just 9 percent of children were raised by a single parent in 1960, 34 percent were in 2013. Discipline with respect to children was a major concern within families. Things we never even dreamed of in the 1950s. Kids were . If disobedient, children were whipped in public and forced to make public confessions at meetings. Pictured: Not abuse in 49 states.