Society's Child

. This study explores the changing meaning and significance of children and childhood in Western history. It examines the style of childrens clothes and relates the style to child-rearing practices, and the role children are expected to play in society. It also answers the question todays social critics have been asking: Is childhood in American society disappearing? Societys Child will be of interest to all those interested in children, society, family, culture, art, communication, and fashion. In the last quarter of the twentieth century, children in American society have been wearing miniature adult-style dress. This trend has led social critics to ask an important question: Is childhood in American society disappearing? To answer this question, Ruth Rubinstein examined the style, function, meaning, and significance of childrens clothes in Western history. She focused on the conditions and events which led to changes in style. She examined closely childrens clothes in Renaissance Italy, seventeenth-century Holland, England and France between 1500 and 1800, colonial America, nineteenth-century England, and the United States since 1800.The author found that a specific clothing style was encouraged by those who sought to effect a particular goal. Change in the basic style of childrens clothes often reflected a change in societal arrangements or arrangements within the family, and often resulted in shifts in the organization of culture. Childrens clothes, in fact, helped to create dynasties, acted as reminders of cultural values, indicated paternal rank, supported nationalism, and were essential aids in organizing the structure of American society.