Were families strict in Shakespeare's time?

Answer 1

From the point of view of modern North American society, Elizabethan families might seem strict. Parents spent their time doing adult things and earning a living and had no time to cater to the whims and fancies of the children. Children had a place and were expected to keep to it. Often they were expected to work or attend school for long hours doing boring repetitive work without complaining. Where parental discipline was exerted, it was probably physical--no timeouts, just a swat on the side of the head. On the other hand, if kids had free time, it was really free. Adults did not organize the kids' free time or supervise it. In this way, families were probably less strict than they are now.