Childhood wasn’t mainly about school or play—it mostly meant work. Poor kids entered factories or farms young, inhaled soot, worked long hours, and had little protection. Apprenticeships could be a lifeline—food, shelter, training—but also meant strict control, punishments, and few options to push back.
Our ancestors weren’t cruising through their youth. What’s changed isn’t that parents suddenly ‘got softer’; society chose different rules. We built laws, schools, safety standards, and expectations that childhood should include learning and protection.
That progress isn’t automatic. It’s something we maintain by noticing when any child is still treated as disposable.
Good morning Larry!