How Did Assumptions Affect Child Rearing Practices in Early Modern Europe?
The early modern period was a time of great societal changes. Europe awoke from its medieval slumber and looked forward to an era of enlightenment. This was true in many aspects of society, and none more so than in the realm of childhood. The idea of the child as an individual, outside of the family unit, was beginning to take hold. The idea of a private life as we understand the term was unknown. However, people for the first time were considering the needs of their children as autonomous beings and not only as they related to society as a whole.
