On Fri, 13 Feb 1998, R.A.Ross wrote:
> > Maybe Aries was right in a certain sense, though I don't agree
> > with all he says, esp about the later M.A. -- the emergence of the modern
> > state coincides with a PARTICULAR (not the only) view of the child and
> > childhood, esp. I would say, the idea that children are truly
> >educable. (MA)
> Does it also coincide with the emergence of the notion that the child
> has immediate rather than future economic potential? Or does that come
> later?
Ron,
For northern Europe in the later M.A., the educable child was considered
to be an important part of maintaining the family's connections and
business/social interests. Perhaps even advancing or improving the
family's status. Aristocratic families began to send at least one son to
university. Commercial status families sought to make sure their sons
(sometimes daughters) had at least a proper grammar school education,
which would give them both skills and a level of social training
appropriate for being considered 'well made.' Part of this new interest
in the educable child included training in social manners, courtesy, and
politeness, not just among the aristocracy but also among the commerical
classes as well (witness Erasmus' treatises on boys' behaviors at great
houses, etc.). Some of this training for children had a strong Christian
impetus, but not always. Knowing how to handle literate discourses and
'civil' conversation were also more and more considered to be expected
skills in order to move within more privileged levels of society.
In this sense (I'm speculating) maybe children after the late 14th
century were more likely to be regarded as parts of a family structure
which circulated in society and which acquired status according to
educational levels, connections, and 'refinements.' Knowing a 'little
Latin' came to be seen as good for the secular soul, and a sign of
general worthiness and intelligence. However, we should
be careful not to overread the humanist ideal of the new-made person
(usually a man). Gabriel Harvey had a terrific education, lots of
abilities, and good connections, but he never quite improved on his
initial status (see Jardine and Grafton's study).
Mark
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