child discipline in the 1950s

John Locke, the English philosopher and physician who is commonly referred to as the Father of Liberalism, wrote parenting guidelines that at the time werent popular, but foreshadowed many of the positive discipline methods we see today. She has a Master of Science in applied developmental psychology from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. As parents struggled to feed their families, little thought was given to disobedient children. Of course, not every mom is a working womanand that's fine!but there are far more mothers in the workplace than there were some 50 years ago, and they're spending longer hours working, too. Today, it remains legal in 19 states. Things we never even dreamed of in the 1950s. Parenting isn't the same now as it was for your parents or grandparents. Throughout the majority of the 20th century, mental health issues like depression and OCD were largely swept under the rug entirely. Life continues. To be polite and have good manners was a must. Many mothers read Dr. Benjamin Spock's 1946 book Baby and Child Care and followed his advice to hug, kiss, and encourage their children to express their individuality. According to the book No More Perfect Kids: Love Your Kids for Who They Are, positive discipline is based on minimizing the childs frustrations and therefore reducing misbehavior rather than giving punishments. During this time, parents were more likely to allow their children to explore without restrictions. xhr.send(payload); For example, the creation of antipsychotic drugs and advancements in health care caused the number of mentally ill patients institutionalized at public hospitals to decrease by 92 percent from 1955 to 1994, according to a report from Out of the Shadows: Confronting America's Mental Illness Crisis. In the 1960s, dads seldom pitched in around the house. If you wore a Hat, you would never wear it indoors, Home or Shop. He takes the boy by the legs and dips him in the cistern, and sends him back to work. This blog is my way of sharing some memories of those times with others of a similar age. When the weather was nice, neighbors gathered in one back yard or another to cook, eat, and chat. In the past, things were so much worse that its frankly surprising the human race survived as well as it did. Based in Pittsburgh, Erica Loop has been writing education, child development and parenting articles since 2009. google_ad_width = 160; Children were taught manners and taken to Sunday school or church. Seventy years ago, moms were younger and they worked far less. If a child was drowsy, the overlooker touches the child on the shoulder and says, Come here. But research has shown in recent years that zero tolerance didn't succeed in making schools safer and did result in racial gaps in school discipline. /* 160x90,50s60s */ They produced films such as High School confidential, Blackboard Jungle, Teen Rebel, The Wild One, Rebel Without a Cause, and more, which fed 1950s teens' rebellious spirit. Every morning, when entering the classroom, a teacher would be greeted with a chorus of "good morning sir" or "good morning madam.". Astrologers pinpoint the one bad habit that's ruining your relationships. Among the group that grew up in the 1950s, approximately 40 percent of respondents said that they were able to walk to school alone starting in just 2nd and 3rd grade. Teaching children how to act has been on the minds of parents and authorities since the written word. I dont remember my parents saying it but older relatives would come out with it if they thought the children were talking to much or just annoying them. . Seeing beauty in the world after illness and personal struggle. Children had to say "please" and "thank you," and if they didn't use these words correctly, they would be informed by adults that they were being rude. During the 1950s, most parents tried, unsuccessfully, to make their children stop listening to Rock-and-Roll because they believed it caused juvenile delinquency and knew it challenged social and racial barriers. The 1950s are often considered a period of conformity when parents conformed to their assigned mother and father roles and pursued the "American Dream." Fewer children were being raised by divorced and single parents in the 1960s. It is redolent of eras in the past where the fathers were the absolute head of their households and were quite remote and strict. But by 2012, dads were clocking an average of 59 minutes of quality time with their kids. . Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. Going back to Buses and Trains and even walking down the Street, if you saw a Lady struggling with her Shopping, you would offer to help, even if that meant going out of your way to take them to he home. A healthy dose of discipline and structure and a general respect toward society are all important lessons we can take from the discipline of the 1950s. The techniques are based on treating children with more respect than was commonly seen in that era and focused on parental education in the ways of child rearing to better prepare parents for the sociological impact of their discipline techniques. Loretta Swit begged the writers to stop using it. So, in 1950s family life, there was also a marriage boom, birth rate boom, and housing boom. google_ad_height = 90; . 40+ Spring Letter Board Quotes to Refresh and Renew. Corporal Punishment In School. While domestic corporal punishment is illegal in more than 50 countries around the world, thats not the case in America, where 17 states still allow corporal punishment in their public schools. What do you want to be when you grow up? In the '50s, teachers and parents thought that punishing children reduced bad behaviour. Not only were there were no video games, even children's television programming operated at a bare minimum, with the medium still in its infancy at that time. In contrast, the man was the "breadwinner." I hated being asked the question because it used to throw me into a panic! Richard Stockton is a freelance science and technology writer from Sacramento, California. "Teachers wanted discipline to be put in their contracts to be very clear what they were responsible for," Kafka said. Cunha is also completing her master's degree in mass communication. Children had to stand up on any occasion when an adult would enter the room, even if that adult was the childs parent. With prodding from the federal government, many schools have more recently turned to approaches that de-emphasize suspensions and expulsions and instead focus on relationships within the school and harm done by bad behavior, approaches often referred to as restorative practices. Sure there was the James Dean 'rebel without a cause' attitude and the 'Teddy Boys' later to become 'Rockers' and nowadays known as 'Bikers', although I must add it's hard to find a modern day Biker without manners. She uses this experience in her articles for LoveToKnow Family. There are many options children in abusive situations have in order to better their lives. Theres no pudding until your plate is empty/ youve eaten your greens. Source: Youtube. Six years of hardship and rationing meant that parents had little time for children being fussy about food. But in 2011, the average father spent 7 hours on child care and 10 hours on housework, indicating a much more equal division of responsibilities. Fortunately, most five-year-olds have the discipline and maturity to deal with disappointments like that without too much fuss. Opening the door for someone, especially a woman or an adult, was necessary, as was letting her exit before the child did so. var sc_security="b44d1fc3"; var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? It was quite common for a disruptive child to be rapped over the knuckles, on the . Posts about discipline written by kidsofthe50sand60s. Disciplining children in the 1950s has often been regarded as strict, harsh and oppressive. Show your daughter how proud you are with a heartfelt or funny social media caption. } To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click here to follow us on Instagram! Dads spent less than 20 minutes with their children. Due to what's called the "Cold War," children of the 50s also lived in an atmosphere of fear. Many hands make light work. Rock-and-Roll became a mainstay due to 1950s teens. Discover research-based information and statistics about the various aspects of, While China has increasingly adopted Western influences, the traditional family structure is still highly valued and holds a prominent position in Chinese culture. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, men spent an average of just 2.5 hours on child care and 4 hours on housework on a weekly basis back in 1965. However, with a swelling teenage consumer market, jukebox operators, radio stations, and deejays played to their teen listeners' tastes, and record stores stocked up on 45 RPM recordings of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and more. Schools increasingly deployed police officers, zero tolerance didn't succeed in making schools safer. There is a rich history of parents ripping their hair out over their children's less-than-desirable behavior. Many people, especially those under the age of around 45 will often hear 'us oldens' say "If I'd have spoken to my parents like that, I'd have got a clip round the ear". Working Class Life - A 1950s Mum and discipline. Girls were not groomed or encouraged to attend college, and if their parents did provide them with higher education, it was with the expectation that they'd meet a suitable husband and have a career they could fall back on. Author: maggs224. Few husbands spent "quality" time with their children or helped around the house. United States Census Bureau: One-Third of Fathers with Working Wives Regularly Care for Their Children, Census Bureau Reports, The Center for Effective Discipline: Spanking: Facts and Fiction, American Psychological Association: The Case Against Spanking. You would always open a door for someone, a woman or adult and allow them entry or exit before you. He thought he had killed me. 3. There were grisly stories written for children to shock them into behaving. How Does Family Structure Impact Language Development? Benjamin Spock's "Baby and Child Care," which was first published in 1946, greatly influenced how children should be raised. It was a major victory for students' rights. Some educators have believed in harsh discipline methods like corporal punishment, suspension or expulsion. In fact, children were often meant to be "seen but not heard." Wed have been glad of that when food was rationed. In a corner of the room there is an iron cistern filled with water. From Puritanical subjugation to laissez-faire families, physical punishment to positive discipline, the best method of parenting has long been a debate. "The theory was that by providing severe consequences to minor infractions, it would send a message to students that disruptive behavior was unacceptable," said Russell Skiba, professor of educational psychology at Indiana University. In fact, its unusual that she suffered any consequences at all. Physical punishments such as spanking were common forms of discipline during this time, according to the Center for Effective Discipline 4. The school's authority was backed up in the home, and a child who misbehaved at school would often be subject to further consequences from his parents. Personal judgments of individual teachers waned; their power from "in loco parentis" died. Discipline at home in the 1930s was viewed purely in the form of punishment for bad behavior, according to Ted Johnson in his thesis on child-rearing practices up to the 1950s. As of 2011, roughly one-third of fathers who have working wives engage in regular child care, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 3. This new form of music gave teens an outlet for their rebellious energy. Of course, Augustus Hare was a privileged lad from a good family. The term "rock-and-roll" caught on when it was coined in 1952. Patricia's work in hypnotherapy and behavior modification have provided her unique insights into family. Childhood Memories of growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. So, the stereotypical nuclear family of the 1950s consisted of an economically stable family made up of a father, mother, and two or three children. When it comes to a child, abuse is something that cannot be taken lightly. The traditional one-room schoolhouse gave way to multiple, stratified classrooms and a principal who oversaw them. This was commonly said to children when they asked for something which couldnt be afforded. These were known as moral tales. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the average mom in 2016 spent 25 hours a week on paid work, up from 8 hours a week in 1965. Others have sought less onerous means. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { The FDA warns of potential health concerns. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. The authority of teachers to discipline students came from a legal term from English common law, "in loco parentis," which translates to "in the place of a parent." The economy boomed, and everywhere individuals were feeling the need for family and security after arduous years of the war. In fact, I didnt have a clue. Since the 1950s our government has worked to keep the children of this nation safe. The crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s triggered a renewed fear of gang violence and greater efforts to punish criminals both inside and outside of schools. As Puritans rose against the English church, the subjugation of children was formalized, dissuading them against challenging or rebelling against authority in the slightest. She has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Connecticut. When wearing a hat, it would be suitable etiquette to take it off when going indoors, into a shop or when talking to a lady on the street. The 1950s brought a widespread fear that kids were out of control under the influence of comic books and movies and rock and roll. Much of the above would remain for some years to follow, but the main change in 'youth' came about in the mid 1960's. Child-rearing practices of the past were more than abusive; they were flat-out insane by modern standards. Pictured: Not abuse in 49 states. Students knelt on sharp objects or stood for long periods of time. Not subscribed to Fatherlys newsletter yet? Children had to say "please" and "thank you," and if they didnt use these words correctly, they would be informed by adults that they were being rude. In the 1890s groups campaigned against child cruelty, but few people argued that . At School, every Teacher was referred to as 'Sir' or 'Madam' and upon entry into the Classroom, everyone would stand and unanimously say "Good morning Sir". Follow Childhood Memories of growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. But you're far from alone. Heres Augustus Hare, in 1896, remembering a punishment he was subjected to by a maiden aunt when he was around five years old: The most delicious puddings were talked of, -dilated on- until I became, not greedy, but exceedingly curious about them. Take it from the Old Testament, strict corporal punishment has been a popular form of discipline for a long time. Discipline was strict in schools, as boys got a caning and girls got slapped on the knuckles with a ruler. In the '50s, teachers and parents thought that punishing children reduced bad behavior. With only 34 percent of all women in the workforce, moms were the primary caregivers during the 50s. I grew up in the countryside in the 1950's and 1960's. Having looked up the two I remember best, I am amazed to find I remember every word of both. The general thinking was "spare the rod and spoil the child." In these bleak times, disciplining children was just an afterthought, says Ruth Shaw, an 88-year-old who chronicles her past in blog and book form. Punishment would be administered by the father on return from work when the work-weary mother (all mothers were home based then) related the childs transgression. The 1950's brought about change and evolution of the American teenager. According to the Pew Research Center, while 73 percent of U.S. children under the age of 17 were living with their married parents in 1960, only 46 percent of that same demographic was living under the roof of still . Although the name "authoritarian" wasn't used in the 1950s, the style was. As teenagers, they dominated the popular culture of the 1950s and 1960s, buying clothing and records. Albert Shanker, the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), wrote in support of zero tolerance laws, saying education reform would be impossible without them. Locke encouraged 17th-century parents to have children learn about consequences naturally, so that self-control and a desire to be accountable for their own actions is a by-product of guidance, not harsh discipline. Benefits of Early Preschool for Parents to Consider. There was one collection of stories written in the 19th century which contained a dozen or so such stories. A 2016 study published in theJournal of Marriage and Family analyzed data from 11 Western nations and found that moms spent an average of 54 minutes with their kids each day in 1965. Nevertheless, there does seem to be a census among eyewitness accounts of what it was like to be a child in the '50s that discipline produced a greater fear of authority than what exists today. When we were a little older, my siblings and I used to joke that it actually did grow on trees for our family because my dad was a forester. If anyone objects to my use of any image, please contact me and it will be removed. Simmering beneath the image of the "perfect family" was discontent with the status quo that led to the tumultuous family life of 1960s. All Rights Reserved. Blended Family Statistics: A Deeper Look Into the Structure, Blended families, also called stepfamilies or remarriage families, are one of many modern family types in the world. Caricature by George Cruikshank of a school flogging (1839). In the 21st century, moms are able to do it all. Because of their small size and lack of development, children are uniquely vulnerable to mistreatment at the hands of the larger, allegedly more sophisticated, grown-ups. They just might not realize they do. Psychology Today: Why Have Trustful Parenting and Children's Freedom Declined? While people certainly ended their marriages in the 1950s and '60s, there was a deeply-ingrained social stigma against divorce that has undeniably lessened in the decades since.. Proverbs 29:15 offers parenting advice in the form of, the rod and reproof which it says give wisdom while a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Yes, strict discipline methods were generally accepted for millennia, but there is history of dissent that is just as deep. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { After World War II, teachers began to unionize. . Discipline at Home. You were expected to applaud your Father off the field, even if he did play rubbish! Not everyone fully bought into the harsh corporal punishment of this time. The negative effects of youth staying indoors, The history of boarding schools in the 1950s. Teachers wanted to focus on teaching, not behavior problems. The 1950s Family: Structure, Values and Everyday Life. Children were expected to be quiet and well-behaved at school. But, in the 1950s, the parents were more likely to allow little freedoms such as riding a bike to a friend's house across town or playing at the park without mom or dad present. As children, their proliferation drove the construction of new schools and suburbs. I was thinking the other day about things which adults used to say to children back in the 1950s which you dont hear so often nowadays. Disciplining children in the 1950s has often been regarded as strict, harsh and oppressive. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Corporal punishment was practiced frequently, and this was taken for granted by the childrens parents. Things had moved on since they were written. Moms only spent a few hours per week at work in the '60s. try { Suburbs were free, social, friendly, and family-oriented. Usher in the warmer weather with a cute letter board quote that's blooming with fresh spring flair. Beatings like these were part of the background noise of a 19th-century childhood. So, the phrase "when your father gets home" was used by housewives frequently across the country when they tried to discipline their child. google_ad_slot = "1514349072"; He encouraged parents to be reasonable, consistent, open, and friendly with their kids not regimented or authoritative. However, research that came later seemed to prove that this was not the case. Discipline isnt, by definition, a bad thing. Children were beaten at school for minor infractions, then beaten again for the same infraction at home. Just as it isnt unusual to see three people smoking up the inside of a car in a public parking lot, so it also happens that parents will sometimes slap or swat their children in front of other people. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier.