The dark side of childhood in late antiquity and the Middle Ages
Subtitle: unwanted, disabled and lost
By: edited by Katariina Mustakallio and Christian Laes
Series: Childhood in the past monograph series -- v. 2; Childhood in the past monograph series -- v. 2.
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Oxford; Oakville, CT
Language: eng
Number of pages: 130
ISBN-13: 9781842174173
Subjects: Social conditions; Child welfare; Children; Middle Ages; History
Description: "This volume examines conceptions, ideas and habits connected with children in Antiquity and the Middle Ages, focusing on the "dark sides of childhood" in the pre-modern world. The authors investigate the long-term attitudes of people, as well as ruptures in habits and customs. The book is divided into three parts. "Unwanted" deals with parents who were unable to bring up their baby and handed it over to other people or the cruel whims of destiny. "Disabled" addresses what we would label as children's illnesses since disability was a concept largely unknown to ancient people. "Nearly Lost" examines demons, viewed as destructive forces with the ability to destroy children or young people, sometimes by literally sucking their lives away. The articles are written by an international team of specialists from Belgium, Finland, Italy and the United States and were presented at conferences organised by the research project "Religion and Childhood. Socialisation from the Roman Empire to Christian World", funded by the Academy of Finland" --
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [113]-126) and index.