Studies in Childhood History: A Canadian Perspective

Barbara Lokach was a social worker and freelance writer based in Toronto.

Studies in Childhood History: A Canadian Perspective is unique in that it focuses on developmental child history in only a Canadian social/political context. The contributors to this book are mainly academics in the field of education.

Two sections comprise this collection of papers: “Theoretical Perspectives” and “Geo-Cultural Case Studies.” The first illustrates the three philosophical stances of utilitarianism, pragmatism, and psychologism to explain the concept of childhood and childhood education. The case studies in the second section “deal with ... child health and welfare, dependent children, institutionalization, illegitimacy and urban and country child life” in various Canadian provinces in the nineteenth to mid-twentieth century.

The ideas presented in each section are interesting and relevant, and it is especially thought provoking to trace the evolution of socially responsible attitudes and values towards indigent children in the latter section.

However, the link between these two sections is more implicit than explicit. It might have been more valid to directly apply theory from section one to the content in section two, rather than mainly examine detailed factual material.

Nevertheless, anyone interested in childhood history in a Canadian context, especially educators, psychologists, or historians will find this book (text?) illuminating in parts.