A Lesson In Lessons

Role models within society demonstrate cultural values regarding adult influence and encouragement during childhood

Presently, children are seen as developing people in need of protection and guidance. Childhood is a socially constructed stage of life that is largely dependent the role of adults. This relationship is essential in ensuring that kids grow up to become positive members of society. To achieve this goal, a network of resources exist that provide universal structure and direction. Education stimulates development at an acceptable pace, while ensuring that kids progress in stages. Each grade in school caters to the perceived abilities of the child at a given age. Extensive research has been done in order to determine these capabilities. Zohar Shavit notes in The Concept of Childhood and Children's Folktales: Test Case--"Little Red Riding Hood" that, "the twentieth century is characterized by the almost obsessive use of the concept of childhood: issues of psychology, physical and sexual problems of the child do not cease to concern adults" (318). Zohar sites our assumption that the cumulation of these issues can drastically influence adult behavior. This concept aligns with current trends in child rearing. 


The Western education system orchestrates development through age appropriate learning material.  Folktales are an essential medium by which young children learn about danger and responsibility. Zohar credits the Brothers Grimm with compiling and presenting folktales in this light. Two versions of Little Red Riding Hood are used by Zohar to support his thesis; the concept of children and childhood can be studied through analyzing folktale revisions. 

The Brothers Grimm mark the point when our modern concept of childhood begins to emerge. The notion that kids were unlike adults arose in the 1600s, two hundred years prior to the Brothers Grimm.  Children began to be depicted in art as innocent beings. In 1697 Charles Perrault wrote Little Red Riding Hood. Zohar pinpoints Perrault's satirical tone as proof that he was writing for an adult audience as well. Embedding mature content within children's entertainment coincided with the understanding of youth. At the time, "the attitude towards children greatly resembled that assumed for the cherished pet animals" (Zohar 321). Kids were a source of amusement. Their role was not yet distinguishable from adult. Children enhanced the lives of their parents. Eventually society came to agree that it was the elders job to stimulate growing minds. This holds true for the concept of childhood today. 

It is interesting to mark this transition through folkart. The Brothers Grimm designed Little Red Cap specifically to teach children not to "stray from the path and go into the woods, when [their] mother has forbidden it" (16). This clear lesson validates the parental authority and establishes trust with children. Grimm's collections have given adults a valuable resource to educate with. These versions remain lively within modern society, and will continue to impress upon young children.