children and space, monday june 1st
TRANSCRIPT
The Country and the CityThe Changing Geography of Children’s Spaces
Both westward expansion and urbanization affected children in
profound ways – and children, in turn, made their mark on both as well.
Children of the City
PRIMARY SOURCES: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
Historical Arguments
• Children came west without the same attachments their parents had, and thus gained a stronger connection with the new land v. children faced dangers, hardships, and difficult circumstances
• Children well treated (because their labor was needed) v. children neglected and abused
Children of the City
PRIMARY SOURCES: RAGGED DICK
• Immigrant children were molded by the values, pace, and priorities of the street.
• City children formed a common culture and depended on one other.
Children of the Suburb
Historical Implications
• Suburbs removed children from the “corrupting” influence of the city
• Suburban children were saved from the demands of farm labor
• Suburban children’s lives focused on school and new patterns of play
1950s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCO6smQrjJ8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcRQedoEyY
What do you think is the ideal geography for raising children?
What about your childhood? In what geography did you grow up?