There was a strong correlation between the perceptions of children and how they were disciplined. Since children during the 16th century were viewed as sinners who needed to be fixed through education and strict discipline, parents would harshly control their children through threats and beatings. As seen in Doc 1C and Doc 2C, children were “sharply taunted, so cruelly threatened...sometimes with pinches and bobs” (Doc 1C) and often “cast [on] the ground and spurned and kicked” (Doc 2C). The circumstances children had to undergo were jarring and savage. Children, in return, viewed their parents as their masters whom they must obey. Doc 1C comes from the perspective of a woman sharing her childhood experiences. She stated that she must honor …show more content…
When the overall perception of children shifted, the discipline matters moved as well. For example, Sir George Savile, who was a writer gave advice on how to properly raise and teach children. In Doc 3C, he says “you must begin early to make your children love you so that they will obey you...let them be more in awe of your kindness than of your power.” People began to follow similar advice presented by Sir George Savile because people realized that “degrading can produce no good effect” (Doc 5C). Doc 4C and Doc 5C come from the 18th century time frame, and both documents state that children are seen as treated well. During the 18th century, children were no longer physically or verbally abused. Instead, Sir Philip Francis even stated that he “absolutely forbid the use of blows…[and] I would not have him called a dunce, or stupid, or blockhead” (Doc 5C). Sir Philip Francis was addressing his son’s tutor to not practice any harsh discipline tactics and rather practice more rational modes of discipline like “confinement, neglect, being kept from play etc” (Doc 5C). As the adult views on children changed from generally negative burdens to positive delights, their practices towards children became more lenient and