Baby Boom

Child Saving & Child Study Movements: 

Child Saving & Child Study Movements Influence of experts G. Stanley Hall (1904) “Children are not like adults, but unique creatures” Development of adolescence – “Storm & Stress” Sigmund Freud (1900-1910) J. B. Watson (1920) Legacy of Child Saving Era/ Child Study Movement

Baby Boom: 

Baby Boom The Baby Boom, Prosperity, and the Changing Worlds of Children (1945 – 1963)

Defining and explaining the “Boom”: 

Defining and explaining the “Boom” Population increase Intangibles: most affluent, most favored, healthiest, best-fed, best-clothed, best-housed Effect of “boomers” Why? Post-war demand, marriage, birth control, prosperity, & . . . glorification of motherhood

Child Development Theorists: Baby Boom Era: 

Child Development Theorists: Baby Boom Era Bowlby (1940s, 1958, 1969) – Attachment Theory “enduring, emotional bond between caregiver and child” Emotionally responsive parents have infants who have a secure attachment Infants who have a secure attachment are more likely to explore the world (leads to future competence) In stressful situations, the responsive parent provides protection, comfort, and reassurance (and tells the child they can expect a protective world)

Child Development Theorists: Baby Boom Era: 

Child Development Theorists: Baby Boom Era Rene Spitz (mid-1940s) Institutionalized infants and children in Europe Scheduled NOT responsive care Delayed development, failure to thrive, apathy Dr. Spock Baby and Child Care (1st edition, 1946) Advised permissiveness, not following strict schedule, with loving guidance

Excerpts from Dr. Spock: Baby and Child Care: 

Excerpts from Dr. Spock: Baby and Child Care You know more than you think you do Don’t be afraid of your baby Enjoy children as they are – that’s how they’ll grow up best Babies aren’t frail: “I’m afraid I’ll hurt if I don’t handle her right” Parenting takes time and effort

Child-centered family: 

Child-centered family Suburbs Homogeneous EX: Leavitttown PTA, Scouts, Little League – more support Economy of abundance EX: automated washing machines Changed employment trends

Schools, the Cold War, and the Great Talent Search: 

Schools, the Cold War, and the Great Talent Search Practical changes in schools Hopes to identify most talented (intelligent) to compete with Russia “Sputnick” – 1957 National Defense Education Act Testing movement (including SAT) Racial desegregation (1954): Brown vs Topeka Board of Education** (Why was it nat’l priority?)

Other influences: 

Other influences Mass media EX: 1952, 46% of households had a t.v. EX: Creation of children’s market (Barbie dolls – 1959) EX: Music industry = Rock n’ Roll Peers From Little League to Gangs (juvenile del. inc.) Alienation (e.g., J. D. Salinger, Jack Kerouac) to Alienating society (crisis of ’60s)

Myth?: Alternative view by Stephanie Coontz: 

Myth?: Alternative view by Stephanie Coontz 1/3 American children poor 1/3 of families needed 2nd income Media was ethnocentric: reality was much more diverse “Glorified Mothers” – failure captured in the “Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan Child-centered values: Irrelevant to children of poor

Baby Bust: 

Baby Bust The Age of Narcissism: 1963-1982

Your views of contemporary childhood: 

Your views of contemporary childhood What is the best part about growing up in American today? What is the biggest problem children/parents face? In contemporary American society, does nature or nurture rule the philosophical war? Do we see children as innocent or corrupted by society? Do we value dependence or independence in children?