This article goes to great lengths to compare the theories and research of several major sociologists and anthropologists on when we started treating children like children.  At one point they were viewed as mini-adults with responsibilities and roles to play.  Then they became “innocent, fragile, and temptable” beings (Joan Acocella, Little People) who needed protection and guidance.  One might ask- what sparked this transition from independent being, to practically helpless individual?  The author suggests that in reality kids have always been kids.  Society and it’s flaws have determined whether or not they had the freedom to act like children.  Infant mortality, poverty, illegitimacy, religion, even marriage norms all contributed to the quality of life of children throughout history.

I found that I appreciated the author’s perspective and sense of irony when he wrote “while disposing of your child was easy, getting rid of your spouse was next to impossible.” (Joan Acocella, Little People).  After all, what did it matter if one author believed children were too coddled and another disagreed.  Societal factors such as; poverty, fear of social stigma, and religious constraints caused women to abandon or dispose permanently of their children.  And that was okay.  Yet, marriage was to be endured regardless of abuse, infidelity or incompatibility.

Joan Acocella makes sure that the reader not only remembers the continuity or sentimentalist theory, but that historical factors determined the lifestyle of children.