On the Margins or in the Mainstream? The History of Childhood in France

Abstract

The aim of this article is to set the context for the studies that follow by assessing the historiography on children and childhood in modern France (including works produced by foreign as well as French authors). The first section identifies topics with the highest and lowest profiles in the existing literature. In particular, it focuses on the former, documenting the wealth of French studies of the infant welfare movement, education and the impact of revolution and warfare on the young. The second section questions the influence the history of childhood has had on historical studies overall in France. It argues that to date, ‘top-down’ studies, concerned with the role of adults in childhood matters, have been more prominent than those looking from the ‘bottom-up’, emphasizing the agency and voices of children.