The public perceptions and personal experiences of only children growing up in Britain, c. 1850-1950
This thesis argues that only-childhood was never the sole, and only ever a minor, determinant of only childrenâs experiences. It analyses autobiographies and oral history interviews of only children who grew up between 1850 and 1950 to show how personal inclinations, parental attitudes, domestic circumstances, geographical location, class, gender, and historical time, alone or in combination, were far more important influences on childhood experiences than only-childhood per se. These factors not only created differences between only children themselves, but also demonstrably influenced sibling childrenâs experiences. Its findings challenge negative ideas about only children that spread to the public from childrearing manuals through other media from the late-nineteenth century, when numbers of one-child families began to increase. Previous historians have inadvertently maintained these stereotypes by tending to present examples of only children who conformed to them, not seeking alternative explanations for their experiences, and presenting sibling relationships as vitally important. This thesis also questions these largely-positive portrayals of siblings. It additionally shows how some only children
Violett, Alice
DA Great Britain ; HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform ; HQ The family. Marriage. Women ; HT Communities. Classes. Races ; HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
The public perceptions and personal experiences of only children growing up in Britain, c. 1850-1950. This thesis argues that only-childhood was never the sole, and only ever a minor, determinant of only childrenâs experiences. It analyses autobiographies and oral history interviews of only children who grew up between 1850 and 1950 to show how personal inclinations, parental attitudes, domestic circumstances, geographical location, class, gender, and historical time, alone or in combination, were far more important influences on childhood experiences than only-childhood per se. These factors not only created differences between only children themselves, but also demonstrably influenced sibling childrenâs experiences. Its findings challenge negative ideas about only children that spread to the public from childrearing manuals through other media from the late-nineteenth century, when numbers of one-child families began to increase. Previous historians have inadvertently maintained these stereotypes by tending to present examples of only children who conformed to them, not seeking alternative explanations for their experiences, and presenting sibling relationships as vitally important. This thesis also questions these largely-positive portrayals of siblings. It additionally shows how some only children
public_perception personal_experience child grow britain argues only childhood never sole ever minor determinant child experience analysis oral_history_interview child grow show personal inclination parental attitude domestic circumstance geographical_location class_gender historical_time alone combination far important influence childhood experience only childhood per factor create difference child also demonstrably influence sibling child experience finding challenge negative idea child spread public manual medium number child family begin increase previous historian inadvertently maintain stereotype tend present example child conform seek alternative explanation experience present sibling relationship vitally important also question largely positive portrayal sibling additionally show child