HISTORY OF CHILDHOOD PHILIPPE ARIES

Embark on a fascinating journey through time, analyzing the evolution of the perception of childhood over the centuries. Philippe Ariès, a prominent French historian, deconstructs the myth of natural childhood in his pioneering work, revealing it as a social construct. This book is not only a must-read for historians and sociologists but also for anyone who wants to understand how our relationships with the youngest members of society have changed. Immerse yourself in the rich historical and iconographic material that sheds new light on the role of the child in family and society.

• Pioneering work in the history of childhood
• Analysis of childhood as a social construct
• Rich material historical and iconographic
• Insightful look at the evolution of education
• Translation of the full, unabridged version of the book
• Author Philippe Aries, prominent medievalist
• Publisher Aletheia, year of publication 2025

Philippe Ariès (1914-1984) was one of the most prominent French medievalists of the 20th century, known as the "discoverer of the child" as a subject of historical research. His book, published in 1960, is a pioneering work in this field, a canon to which historians and sociologists alike still refer. Ariès argues that childhood is not a natural biological form but a social construct of relatively recent origin. The Middle Ages did not yet know childhood or adolescence, as family life in the modern sense – based on intimacy and feelings – only appeared in later centuries.

The author justifies this thesis with fascinating historical and iconographic material, analyzing images, documents, and texts from various eras. The "discovery" of the child had significant civilizational consequences, including the avalanche of educational development. This book is informative and comforting because it shows that what we today consider to be signs of early primitivism – a lack of emotional attachment to the child and a kind of "collectivism" of family life – does not have to result from the shortcomings of human nature but has its history. We live in happy times of a regained or acquired childhood, where family relationships are based on love and care.

Aletheia Publishing presents the full, unabridged version of this classic work, with an extensive section on the history of education. The book has 552 pages, a format of 147x209 mm, and is paperback. It is a must-read for anyone interested in social history, education, and the role of the child in culture. Discover the fascinating history of childhood and understand how our relationships with the youngest members of society have changed over the centuries. This book is the key to understanding the modern world and its values.