How Did The Average Family Size Change The Role Of Children In The 20th Century

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In the 20th century, many things changed as far as child and childhood are concerned. Firstly the family size was reduced and the average number of children per family went from five or six in the 1870s to below two in the 1970s. This change happened because there was a very significant drop in infant mortality. This reduction in the average family size greatly changed the amount of time, effort and attention that parents devoted to each child. After all, it is easier to focus on one or two children than seven or eight. The creation of compulsory schooling and the decline of child labour changed the role of children. Children were not an economic asset anymore but an important part of the family strategy and the future of the family. According

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