How did the upbringing of children in Sparta compare with the upbringing of children in Athens?

Answer 1

They often saw children as the future of Sparta. It was very imporntant for the Spartans to create healthy children, mainly boys although girls were considered a good child to bear also. Women in Sparta were held in a much higher regard than those of Athens as it was accepted that they were very imortant in order to breed Spartan soldiers.

When a child was born in Sparta, they family was visited by the high priest and inspected. If the child was healthy, the family could raise them in the normal way. If a child had a disability or a handicap of any description, it was believed that they could not bear healthy children or be of any use in the army. Disabled or handicapped children were brought away by the priest and killed. There was no room in Sparta for the weak.

Male children, from a very young age were being trained to be fast, agile, strong and tough. One childrens game in Sparta was to place pieces of cheese along a wall. One group of children had to try and take the cheese while a gropu on the other side had to whip them as they attempted to. It was thought that this game would increase all the traits needed to become a good soldier. Fathers spent much time with their children teaaching them battle moves and training with them so it is safe to assume that they had pride in their children.

At age seven, Spartan children were taken from their homes and brought to a military barracks to train until they were of age to find a wife. They remained at the barracks until they were married and even then, had to return often.

Female children were also made play games and exercise. They were to have healthy bodies as it was believed this was to only way to produce healthy children. As this was the case, the women were much stronger than other women at the time. They spent much time with their mothers and other Spartan women.

So, overall the Spartans realised that the children were the future of their country and did everything possible to mould them in a way, which to them, would create great leaders and child bearers. Their view of children was one of optimism and pride.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

A young boy was raised until the age of 7 at school and then he would have to leave home to join the miltary. A girl was raised to desire being a good partner for a husband to have many male kids. If a baby had a disability(i.e. if it was deaf or blind) They would just throw them off a cliff.

Answer 3

Spartan boys were trained for the military by going to a military school based on the brotherhood that their parents attended. There they went through vigorous training including beatings, hand to hand combat, Wrestling, and other skills like how to duel with a weapon. Spartan girls also went through this vigorous training but nobody knows how tough it was on girls.

Answer 4

YES