The Change Of Childhood In The 19th Century

The term childhood is a term with a variety of aspects and facets and carries no one definition. Childhood has been viewed different globally over different periods of time. It is very subjective and variations in biological make up, economic status and the environment lead to individual differences in children’s paths of life and resulting competencies. Nature and nurture both contribute towards shaping the childhood experiences which are increasingly diversified .Thoughts, feelings and behaviour as a whole is affected by the wide variety of influences in biology, social and cultural context. ( Stearns 2006).

Change in childhood is fluid and ongoing. Childhood has evolved considerably over the history .In the modern world children are seen as active participants and social actors in the society. Today we are ingrained with western concepts of childhood which has somewhat universalized the way children are seen. Each culture though has its impact on growing children; the effect more or less

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) was founded in 1889; and earlier, in 1870, the Education Act had brought huge changes. Benjamin Waguh the founding secretary for the National Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children is seen as a pioneer for countering cases of child neglect. Gradually, every child in Britain was introduced to schooling. By the late 19th century, children 's lives were beginning to be transformed. They were going to school instead of work, and the importance of education for children was recognized. They were beginning to be treated as children instead of 'little adults '. With the protection of the law, many could now avoid the exploitation of their childhood and gain an education. In 1889 the Children’s Charter was introduced which acknowledged child cruelty as an