Children basically were considered “chattel” who had no rights that adults were bound to respect.
Familial love (if they were lucky enough to have it!) was the only thing protecting children from being enslaved, beaten, submitted to sex work, and murdered in the street.
And children still don’t have many rights, to this day.
Look at the fact that only in the last 40 years has child abuse and neglect become an actual crime people can be charged with.
Look at the fact that in many cultures, it’s still considered perfectly acceptable for parents to beat their children as a form of discipline.
And look at the fact that in many cultures, it’s still considered perfectly normal to mutilate children, as part of “religious observances.”
Automatic_Memory212 t1_j8ur8zn wrote
Reply to Cruelty and child abuse in "Oliver Twist" by SamN712
Yes.
Children basically were considered “chattel” who had no rights that adults were bound to respect.
Familial love (if they were lucky enough to have it!) was the only thing protecting children from being enslaved, beaten, submitted to sex work, and murdered in the street.
And children still don’t have many rights, to this day.
Look at the fact that only in the last 40 years has child abuse and neglect become an actual crime people can be charged with.
Look at the fact that in many cultures, it’s still considered perfectly acceptable for parents to beat their children as a form of discipline.
And look at the fact that in many cultures, it’s still considered perfectly normal to mutilate children, as part of “religious observances.”