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Homework Help: Social Studies: U.S. History: Comparing and Contrasting the Lives of Children in the 1800's and Today
Around the 1800's, children were nothing like the children today. They had
many more rules that they had to go along by and were much more
disciplined. Their parents were concerned about their children's behavior.
Today, the children are not as disciplined and do not have many rules to
follow. As time went on, our society changed and children's behaviors and
rules gradually became less demanding. During the 1800's, girls were
serious and obedient to their parents and certain rules. Girls could not
have their undergarments shown or have their clothes laced too tight. "A
waist too small for the natural proportion of the figure is the worst
possible deformity" (How A Lady Should Dress). Shoes worn would have to
be longer than the foot for the reason that a long and narrow foot would
represent attractiveness. The most elegant were black and white (How A
Lady Should Dress). Clothes that were simple or neat were considered the
finest because they would be the most appealing to others. Feathers and
jewelry could only be worn when a girl was fully matured. For being a
housewife, a woman could not let coffee or tea stand in tin. Girls
couldn't slap, pinch, bite, whistle, jump, or shout. "The husband (would
have) the power over the wife's body" (Marriage Certificate, 1848). Today,
girls do not have such a strict form of dressing and behavior. Some girls
let their undergarments show and their shoes can be of any shape or size.
Clothes can be loose or tight and can be baggy or neat. Black and white
dresses are not only called elegant, but other colors are also considered
elegant. Some people consider fancy clothes to be better than simple
clothes today. Wearing feathers on a head are thought of as dorky. Coffee
and tea can stand in tin or in other places. Girls pinch, bite, and slap
sometimes; and they don't have a rule sheet that says they can't. Also,
they whistle, jump, and shout when playing in or outdoors. Nowadays, women
and men work equally instead of only men working alone. There were many
things that girls back then and now have in common. For example, nowadays
and back then, girls saved bottles so that grocers will give something
in return. Women also washed silk clothes in cold water and go to the dry
cleaners so that the silk does not shrink. Girls both changed
mattresses and don't sneeze or cough in other's faces. Some women today
and in the 1800's don't pick noses and comb and brush our hair along with
washing our hands and face. Furthermore, girls marry, raise children and
sometimes believe clothes should be clean. Throughout the 1800's boys
were respectful to their parents and were disciplined well. They would
have "clean, well blacked, and polished" (How A Gentleman Should Dress)
boots and couldn't "soil or tear their clothes" (The Good Boy's
Soliloquy). Boys were not able to "squint, frown, or stare"lean upon a
table"(or) 'spill (their) drink and make it slop' (The Good Boy's
Soliloquy). Throwing toys around would be forbidden. "Husbands would
live with their wives giving honor unto them" (Marriage Certificate, 1848).
Nowadays, boys do have as much of a strict environment in which to live
and play. Boots or shoes don't have to be polished (unless if wanted to).
As a type of style, some boys wear torn clothes. Boys can stare, squint,
or frown and it is not forbidden. Sometimes, they might lean on the table
with their elbows. Furthermore, babies can get messy and throw toys all
over. Despite all the differences; boys from the 1800's and 2002 are
related in some ways. They blow and wipe their noses. Some boys try
awkward tricks like throwing eggs on cars and houses on Halloween. Also,
some boys appear at their dinner table with dirty hands and faces. In
addition, some boys wear clean, unrumpled clothes and listen carefully.
Our society has evolved from a place lacking liveliness to a place lacking
quite a bit of respectfulness. Boys and girls in the 1800's had to follow
a list of rules for their everyday simple lives. Meanwhile, at the present
time, we do not have those strict and demanding rules, which would've
controlled our everyday moves. Our way of living is a way, which
emphasizes education, and lacks the necessity of strict rules to control
our lives.
Homework Help: Social Studies: U.S. History
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