What was the Elizabethan attitude towards children?

Answer 1

The Elizabeathan attitude was children were to be seen but not heard. There wasn't much to childhood in this time. From infancy to about 10 years old was childhood, but after that they were treated as adults. There was no "teenage years" and this will not happen until the term comes into use in 1939. Children were also considered "blank slates" and were to be beaten if needed to be taught. Elizabeathan England was full of homeless children, children in workhouses, and orphanages. Many worked mines and the early woolen mills as young as 7 years old and laws protecting children didn't exist. Animals had more protection under the law than children. It won't be until the 1960's that child abuse is identified by law. Whole families worked together in the poorest conditions to make money for a sparse living. One occupation was making straight pins or to be rag picker with their parents. A wealthy child had it better, but were under the eye of a nanny and tutor. They were expected to show proper behaviors at all time and to dress and act as adults. The paintings of the time show children dressed in adult type dresses and suits. Life for all children was not easy or like what it is like today.

Answer 2

Children were to be seen and not heard. Actually a child wasn't a child for very long. They were considered grown up by 7 years old and were dressed as an adult would be dressed. Children were sent to work, put in apprenticeship, and entered into marriage contracts. At birth the church taught that children were born with sin and were " blank slates." Little was known about children and it won't be until the 1900's that the field of child development will begin and the study of IQ.