PICTURES: The changing face of childhood through the ages

The first survey of this kind in the UK was carried out in the borough in 1938 as part of the groundbreaking Mass Observation Project. Now, more than 75 years, the people of Bolton are once again being asked to write in about what makes them happy.

The Bolton News is running a series of features on the theme of happiness.

Today, we look at the changing face of childhood, said to be the "happiest days of our lives".

Dr Linda Withey, course tutor at Early Years Childhood Studies at the University of Bolton, said despite the world changing dramatically since the 1930s, children have not changed— and asks whether "playing-in" has become the new "playing out".

"In many ways it could be said that our children have never lived so well.

Materially they have more possessions, better homes and more holidays away.

They enjoy a whole world of technology which brings them information, music, entertainment and an unprecedented ability to communicate.

Our children are also more educated and have access to better medical care than previous generations.

They are more open and honest about themselves, more tolerant of diversity and in general are more concerned about the environment.

And yet, at the same time there is also a sense of unease about our children’s experiences; that somehow their lives are becoming more difficult.

It is certainly true that as adults we often remember our own childhoods in rather idyllic terms which, when compared to 21st century childhood raises some concerns, with suggestions that childhood has become ‘toxic,’ and is in danger of ‘disappearing’.

The argument here is that the traditional boundaries between children and adults are being eroded by the nature and influence of technology. The claim is that children now have access to information previously deemed only suitable for adults.

The rise of modern technology has certainly seen children come increasingly to the forefront.

It could be suggested that access to the internet allows this generation of children to be more democratic, creative, and self aware to the extent that they can now by- pass adults and social conventions, and decide for themselves what is good for them.

With all of this in mind then it is possible that as adults we may have little understanding of the 21st century world of the child.

The widespread changes in family structure, employment and education have seen the increasing spread of extra-curricular activities, before and after school clubs, and leisure pursuits.

There may be several reasons for this; some parents may feel this is preparing children for the complex adult world of our technological society, some have the financial assets to accommodate this, whilst others act in response to fear for children’s safety.

The absence of children in our streets and public spaces is a further indication of this aspect, such that for many children ‘playing out’ has been replaced by ‘playing in.’

For many children now recreation and leisure consists of spending time interacting with social media and computers, often alone and away from the rest of the family, to the extent that they may have created for themselves a ‘virtual playground’.

Where once children occupied street corners and other open spaces to just "hang around" has now been redefined by many, as being ‘up to no good’ and even, at worst, partaking in ‘anti-social behaviour’.

Such sensationalised images of youth have led some to feel a sense of alienation.

We need to take care that the ordinary, everyday children who live ordinary, everyday lives do not become lost amid such claims.

The value of play should never be underestimated it is the way in which children learn and develop their understanding of the world around them, and what it is to be part of that world.

During play children copy the way that they see adults behave, and in doing so are preparing themselves for the future.

Since play has no ‘rules’ children have the freedom to try out new ideas, use their imaginations, and express themselves in their own way; thus the world of play is a safe environment for children to be in.

Children who experience such freedom, take responsibility to manage aspects of their own lives, and are out and about in their local environment can make and break friendships with other children, and interact with those in the community.

There would seem little point in teaching citizenship in schools, if children are then not allowed to practice this in real life.

Children need the opportunity to develop their independence, natural abilities, resilience, and the capacity to self –regulate.

What has, and is increasingly being recognised is that the demands of the 21st century do impact on the happiness and well-being of children.

Some issue of concern identified by children themselves are; bullying, friendships, independent journeys, feeling safe, poverty, family breakdowns, exams, technology and social media.

Yet, despite all of these concerns and challenges to modern childhood, it appears that children are happy with life, family, and schooling. What children seem to be telling us is that they value time spent with family and friends over material possessions.

Whilst our concept of childhood may alter, children themselves do not. It could be suggested that each generation of children themselves reinvent childhood, because it is they who live it .We need then to see children and childhood as it is, and not as we remember it, or wish to see it. Children have not changed they are simply children of their time, and not of ours. We need to see them as they are and listen carefully to what they are telling us."

Dr Withey's description of children's recreation and leisure today is a far cry from that captured by Humphrey Spender for the mass observation project, which was designed to document life in Bolton — which was chosen to represent a typical northern town.

Matthew Watson, Collections Access Officer (Art and Social History) at Bolton Library and Museum Services, said: "When Humphrey Spender travelled to Bolton in the late 1930s as part of the Mass-Observation study of the town, he found children in the most unexpected of places.

"He found them playing on patches of wasteland, on street corners, on a railway bridge.

"These spaces do not conform to adult ideals of what constitutes a healthy environment for children’s play.

"They are a far cry from the ‘officially’ sanctioned spaces of the nursery, school playground or well-maintained park, where the emphasis was on hygiene and playing well — to ‘play well’ meant to play in an environment organised and supervised by adults).

A total of eighteen games were recorded of which 12 needed a group of children to play. It was noted by observers for the mass observation project "how important tradition is in relation to games; the way they are passed on from one generation to the next".

Mr Watson said: "One of the things that stands out in Spender’s photographs of children’s street games is the lack of adults.

"For many, this lack equalled neglect.

"But what the photographs fail to record, of course, is the care that was taking place off-camera — less formal types of care whereby neighbours, grandparents and older siblings kept an eye out on the children of working parents.

"The existence of this informal system of child care was lost in the general fear about what would happen to young people if they were left unsupervised.

"With the increasing recognition of the importance of play to healthy childhood development, it was deemed essential to establish proper spaces for play. The newly created playing fields and municipal playgrounds were designed to encourage safe and healthy activities."

He added: "Children make things out of what they are given, but these transformations and occasional transgressions are not always to the liking of adults.

"Humphrey Spender’s photographs show that despite the best efforts of adults, children’s play thrives on unpromising contexts, on hidden nooks and crannies that adults either do not notice or would dismiss as being unsuitable for play.

"The spaces he followed children into included backstreets and pavements, railway bridges and industrial yards, and the dingy, ill-defined spaces between the walls of factories and mills

On leaving school young people would join associations such as the Church Lads’ Brigade; the Bolton Boys’ Federation; the Young Citizens’ Clubs; Girls’ Friendly Society (Church of England) and for both boys and girls, the Guild of Help.

Mr Watson said: "By participating in team sports like football and rounders, by going on organised trips to the country, by taking part in civic processions, young people would learn to curb excesses of behaviour and become more disciplined, more diligent and more honest.

Your happy thoughts can win prizes

IN 1938 the residents of Bolton gave their views on what happinesses meant to the meant to them personally.
What do Bolton residents in 2016 think? What are your views on what happiness means to you and yours? The Bolton News and the University of Bolton would like to have your comments. 
The best letter will win a pass for a family for four to Hollywood Bowl, Middlebrook, and a meal for a family of four including four drinks at Coast2Coast at Middlebrook. Email your thoughts on happiness, 50 to 500 words to schaudhari@theboltonnews.co.uk, or send them by post to Happiness, The Bolton News, The Wellsprings, Civic Centre, Bolton, BL1 1AR. The winner will be decided by the university’s Professor of Wellbeing John Haworth. You might have special memories that make you happy to recall, if so, tell us. Please also state whether you are male or female (or would prefer not to say), your age and whether you are employed/self-employed, seeking employment, full-time student, carer or retired. The closing date is Monday, September 12.