Part 1: “History of Childhood” on April 5th at 10:35 p.m. on ORF 2
Vienna (OTS) – For some it is the most beautiful time in life, carefree, with games and fun. For others it is unbearable: childhood. Biologically, the early phase of life is still the same as it was thousands of years ago. But the circumstances in which children grow up have changed. What is childhood and what did it look like in human history? The new “Universum History” documentary “The Clockwork of Life – History of Childhood” by Florian Hartung (ORF editing: Judith Brandner) looks back into the past on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 10:35 p.m. on ORF 2 asks questions about childhood that still concern us today. Part 2 of the “Universum History” two-parter will deal with the “History of Ages” on April 12th at 10:35 p.m. on ORF 2.
Throughout history, children have not always had it well. In ancient Greece, childhood was disregarded as a time of human imperfection. In Rome it depended solely on the father whether he accepted the infant, abandoned it or even had it killed. In modern times, children often had to go to war with adults, sometimes even to the front as soldiers. In some countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo or the Central African Republic, there are still child soldiers today. But illnesses and poor hygiene also cost – and in some places still cost – the lives of numerous children. At times, many children died before puberty from smallpox, diphtheria, or plague. Only better knowledge of hygiene and the development of pediatric medicine provided a solution – in many countries around the world this is still not the case today.
Ideas about raising children have undergone major changes throughout history. Jean-Jaques Rousseau created a completely new image of a happy childhood with his novel “Emile” in 1762. In it he demands something revolutionary: that children should be allowed to develop freely and pursue their inclinations. The adults should only support them. For the first time, the concept of authoritarian education was questioned, which also caused strong dissent. There was still a long way to go to concepts of anti-authoritarian education in the 1960s and 1970s.
There is still a lot to be done to eliminate child labor around the world. Many children from poorer families still have to work, especially in Asia and Africa. This deprives them of their childhood, the right to education and the right to develop freely. In Europe, child protection laws were passed at the beginning of the 20th century, prohibiting girls and boys under the age of twelve from working in businesses. In Austria, in 1774, under Maria Theresa, a “general school regulation” was issued with compulsory schooling from the age of 6 to 12, and compulsory schooling for children has been in force in Germany since 1919.
The documentary tells about the history of childhood – from the oldest toy ever found to pedagogy in ancient Greece or child abandonment in ancient Rome. Interviews with scientists bring new insights into childhood and some surprises.