Corbis
Written by Professor Hugh Cunningham, a leading academic in the field, and Michael Morpurgo, the hugely popular children’s writer who also presents the series, this is the first ever chronological history of British childhood.
Childhood is one of the subjects of our time, but since every child and every childhood is different, the vast majority of what is written or said on the subject is no more than anecdotal. This authoritative series explores the history of childhood in Britain over the last thousand years. Using the widest range of original sources - coroners’ reports and court records, newspaper articles and official documents, nursery rhymes and songs, letters and diaries - the series explores the key historical events and movements which have had an impact on childhood. It also looks at the private lives of individual children from the past.
Its overarching conclusion is that childhood has changed dramatically over the centuries, but that children are - and will probably always be - very much the same.
The Invention Of Childhood was first broadcast from the 25th September, 2006 on BBC Radio 4. For further broadcast details, and to listen again where available, please visit bbc.co.uk
Perspectives on childhood
Different cultures, different childhoods
Corbis
A 'normal' childhood depends on where you live and when you're born. Heather Montgomery wonders how some common British practices might look to other cultures. Read more : Different cultures, different childhoods
Sometimes a bunny is just a bunny: The Playboy brand and sexualisation of children
Michalakis Ppalis | Dreamstime.com
Beyond the tabloid-fuelled rage at Playboy products apparently aimed at children is a much more nuanced relationship with the Bunny brand. Read more : Sometimes a bunny is just a bunny: The Playboy brand and sexualisation of children
Childhood stress survey
The Open University
How do you and your children react to stress? What are the stress points in your day - and what stresses out others? Help our... Read more : Childhood stress survey
Children living in different settings
Learning Space 
Used with permission
Most children live with a parent or parents, with siblings and relatives and with family pets in the family home, but many children do not... Read more : Children living in different settings
More about The Invention of Childhood
OU on the BBC: The Invention of Childhood - Programme guides
Farnworth
The invention of childhood travels through 1,000 years of children's history, from the ravages of the Black Death to the impact of the internet -... Read more : OU on the BBC: The Invention of Childhood - Programme guides
Michael Morpurgo on childhood
Michael Morpurgo
Find out about the man behind the voice in the invention of childhood - the presenter of The Invention Of Childhood in his own words. Read more : Michael Morpurgo on childhood
OU on the BBC: The Invention of Childhood - The making of childhood
Bodleian Library
How did your childhood differ from that of your parents, or grandparents? Read about the thinking and inspiration behind the series in an article the... Read more : OU on the BBC: The Invention of Childhood - The making of childhood
OU on the BBC: The Invention of Childhood - Weblinks
Bodleian Library
If you'd like to find out more about childhood and museums relating to children, we've gathered together a selection for you to explore. Take a... Read more : OU on the BBC: The Invention of Childhood - Weblinks
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Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Have just heard that there is a very interesting radio series (that started yesterday (25th.) - sorry just heard the news!). It is called the Invention of Childhood, radio 4. Details can be got on: www.open2.net/inventionofchildhood
Best wishes, John
Invention of Childhood - where can I hear it again?
hi
I caught the end of this program and thought it was fantastic. However I didn't realise that it was a series until now. I was wondering if anyone knows where I can hear it again.
I note there is an audio book in the bbc bookshop. Is this the same as the radio version?
Many Thanks
Emma
disappearance of childhood?
I've been following the excellent series The Invention of Childhood, being especially fascinated by the evolution of childhood analysed since the 1950s as its a time which resonates for me as a child, and for my family now. As the series draws to a close, coming up to present times, today we have one of those curious examples of synchronicity with the release of a report by the Institute for Public Research into the behaviour of British adolescents.... How will the next few decades pan out I wonder.. most of us are familiar with the attitudes and behaviour of the teenagers who were interviewed for BBC news item broadcast today, who hang out in gangs in parks... and who are more influenced by the media and peer pressure than anything coming from the family... but not all kids and families are the same, let's hope that things evolve in positive and constructive ways in the future. Thanks for the series, illuminating and thought provoking.
Memories of the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's
I'm writing a book, to be published by Orion Publishing in Autumn 2007, about the memories that people have of their lives during the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's, either when they were children or as adults during those decades. I'm gathering personal anecdotes - they can be about anything that comes to mind - for example, the food you ate, your schooling, your leisure activities, your house, evacuation during the war etc. I'd be very happy to include some of these in my book (anonymously)if you give me permission (please state if you do). Please reply if you can and give me an idea of the year you are remembering and how old you would have been at that time. Many thanks
Re: Memories of the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's
I have just seen your request and told my Grandmother (91 and sharp as a pin with a fantastic memory). She would be delighted to help but doesn't have access to email. If you can give me another way for her to contact you e.g. telephone number or a postal address I can pass these on to her.
Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Hello, I'm a PhD student and I'm interested in how attitudes and beliefs about smacking have changed over time in the UK, how people define it and how it's represented in the media.
Would like to hear your views. Thank you.
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Dear Susie, Rather late, I've only just read your message & the responses you've had.
I can't remember my parents smacking me - I think they might have done when I was very little [born 1832].
School: punishment in my day was considered a badge of valour by cheeky/confident boys like my brother. They boasted of being caned although I think most of them, like him, would try to avoid getting into situations which resulted in it. Only recently have I seen the Punishment Book recording them.
I have never forgotten my shock and sense of unfairness when a teacher I knew well, who had taught me earlier & was a family acquaintance, & who was filling in for an absent form teacher, hit a girl across the hand with a ruler. Looking back,this child,about 9,was slow and monosyllabic & seemed very unhappy. I thought the teacher should have known that child couldn't give the answer asked for.
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
I was born in the early sixties. Throughout my childhood smacking at home and corporal punishment at school was considered the norm. I managed to avoid the cane at school but did encounter other punishments such as the ruler across the hand and smacking. I was afraid of the cane because its use was recorded in the punishment book and this meant my parents would be notified which worried me more than the pain. I don't think smacking by itself improves childrens behavior one bit.
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Hi Graham, thank you for your reply. What might have hapened at home if your parents found out about the entry in the school punishment book?
How has your experience of physical punishment influenced the way you believe - or how you behave (if you have children of your own)?
Look forward to hearing from you, Susie
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Hello Susie.
My parents took a very dim view of any trouble I got myself into at school.Had my name been included in the school punishment book I would of suffered further punitive action at home,including smacking, if I failed to see the error of my ways.I don't think the physical punishment I received at school did me any harm, however, I feel that being smacked by my parents for behavior such as "answering back" or "being cheeky", did lower my self confidence. I don't smack my son because I remember how it made me feel, I don't want to hurt him and I don't think physical punishment an effective method of correcting his behavior or gaining his respect.
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Hello Graham, thank you for your reply. It sounds as though you believe that physical punishment is wrong for two reasons; firstly because it's ineffective and secondly because of how you view the nature of the child - someone who has the same rights to dignity etc as an adult.
Regards, susie
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
A point to consider in this debate, Britain has lagged far behind most European countries in smacking children. Most countries abolished it years ago - without upsetting their societies in any way. Best wishes, John
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Hi John, I wonder what it is about UK society that has allowed us to 'lag behind' regarding this legislation.
There is a very useful web-site - childrenareunbeatable where the position of a number of countries on this issue is recorded and discussed.
Regards, Susie
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Puritanism and isolationism, I think! BW, John
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
I was born in the 1950's. My mother brought me up to believe that smacking children was OK, but I found it traumatic to administer that kind of punishment so I don't smack my children. In fact I am bringing them up to question authority, even mine, because I don't want them to blindly follow anyone. When I asked my Mum about why she thought it was OK to smack she told me that children had to be more scared of her than of anything else so that if their lives were in danger they did as they were told, even if they could see no reason for it. I often wonder whether this was something she heard her mother say.....maybe...during those dangerous and harsh times (she grew up during the war)...it was important to have absolute obedience.
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
hi, thank you for your reply. Sorry it's taken me ages to respond - Was interested by four decision not to smack your children - and that you iound smacking to be traumatic -do you think that this was something to do with your own definition of smacking - located as a violent act rather than a 'normal' part of bringing up children? How did you come to 're-define' smacking?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
I went to traditional English prep and public schools in the 1950s and 60s. Beating was a regular part of life. At public school, beating was mainly done by the prefects. An old boy of my school wrote the film If, which captures the mood and ritual very accurately. I was regularly beaten - once even getting blood drawn - and was very against it. It demeaned everybody concerned. Best wishes, John
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Hi John, Thank you for your reply. Do you think that smacking in the context of the family is also demeaning for the child or is this somethng that relates to the public nature of what took place at school. Thank you for mentioning the film - If, I'll revisit this.
Kind regards. susie
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Smacking is wrong in both a public and private context. Best wishes, John
Re: Invention of Childhood- smacking and rights
Hello John, Thank you for your reply. Susie
Has Childhood Vanished?
Hello, i am a degree student, for my independent study project i am looking at whether childhood in the 21st Century has disappeared or whether children are evolving with society (a topic that has been particularly relevent recently) . I would welcome views or ideas for information that could be of use to me.
Re: Childhood
Will this excellent series be available as a podcast? I'd quite like to keep it.
Re: Childhood
i too would like to keep this as a pdcast - I missed the first week.
Re: Childhood
I agree - would love this as a podcast. I missed the first week and sadly listen again programmes are only posted for a wek after the broadcast.
Re: Childhood
If you did miss the first programme, or can't listen to the radio during the day, each episode will be online to listen to at your convenience through the BBC's listen again service - you can find the links you need at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/childhood/