As and Elementary Education major, I tend to look into a lot of things from a child’s or educators perspective because that’s where my specific interests lie. Thomas More’s Utopia gave me an opportunity to do this, and I have to say, the society presented in Book 2 would not be one most children would want to grow up in.
On page 551 you learn that in Utopia each person is trained in a particular trade. Of course that is not all that striking, but what is seemingly harsh is how a young boy’s trade is established. “The son is trained to his father’s craft, for which most feel a natural inclination” (551). That doesn’t seem too bad, but those children who have a different interest are in a very particular situation. These boys would be put up for adoption to a family that practices the trade they wish to pursue. To have to leave your family as a child because you may have other interests completely disvalues the son’s attachment to his family in favor of a particular trade.
In Utopia, after the age of five, until the age in which you are married, eating arrangements are not all that favorable. “both boys and girls up to the age of marriage, either wait on table, or , if ot old and strong enough for that, stand by in absolute silence. They eat whatever is handed to them by those sitting at the table, and have no other set time for their meals” (556). Although it is understood that no one ever goes without, this way of eating is far from desired. Standing for any extended period of time in complete silence would be a challenge for many adults, expecting it of children seems almost unreasonable. Also being expected to eat whatever is handed to you take could put a person in a situation where they may not eat, if they are handed only food items in which they do not like. The text makes it seem the children have no say in the matter.
The perception of children in the society is shined on by negative light. Criminals are forced to wear gold and silver so the common people can scorn them. A similar treatment is given to the children. When what we would consider a precious stone is found, for instance a diamond, it is given to the children as a play thing because they “feel proud and pleased with such gaudy decorations. But after, when they grow a bit older and notice that only babies like such toys, they lay them aside” (558). The word gaudy has an apparent negative connotation, as well as the word babies in this particular occasion. In modern terms, when a child plays with a toy, it’s considered innocent. In Utopia the positive connation of children’s innocence is missing.
The entirety of these situations may be “perfection” for the adults, particularly the men of the society, but the children’s emotions are hardly considered.
It is interesting to see the point of view of Utopia from an educator's point of view. After reading your rumination, I couldn't help but reread it with the point of view of a nurse. Interested in Pediatric Nursing, I have learned that growth and development of a child is critical. A child's environment growing up, including eating arrangements, toys, and interests. A child would not do well developmentally wise in this type of society. Children need special attention and care in order to grow up into a healthy, successful adult.
ReplyDeleteThe emotional needs and the growth of children is totally disregarded in More's Utopia. More failed to realize that pushing kids towards this kind of stoic, selfless adult maturity would most likely damage them before they could ever learn to understand why they would have to act in such a way. An adult introduced to More's Utopia, could much more easily conceptualize the whole of the plan for the betterment of society and thus willingly participate in it, but what does a child know about all that?
ReplyDeleteLove, nurturing and harmonious relationships in the family would be a much better training ground for children who would one day become adult Utopians. They could grow to understand why they should be good citizens of Utopia within the microcosm of their family "society". Children have to start small and grow into big ideas and concepts.
It's very interesting to learn about the ways people understood childhood development hundreds of years ago. Until the 20th century, there were no adolescents. Basically, once you were of marrying age (sometimes just after puberty) then you were an adult. As an inheritor of modern American thought on the this matter, I would advocate more transition time between childhood and adulthood. But then again... I must add that kids (espceially teens) can hold up under a lot more presure and responsibility than we usually give them credit for.
I like that you took this position on interpreting the story. I find that a lot of truth exists in the eyes of the innocent - children. In Utopian societies, it appears that the community tries to hide this truth and stifle children from seeing the flaws of the society. I like that you referenced the way that the treatment of children parallels the society's treatment of criminals. Perhaps both are being criminalized for what Orwell would call "thought-crime" in his novel 1984.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you approached this rumination. By taking More's "Utopia" and actualizing it in terms of child-development, I think you've succeeded in putting a realistic spin on the whole idea. It's true - children as we know them could not survive or flourish in More's Utopia, which makes us question even more how the society would successfully exist. The children being raised in such constraints would turn out much differently than the adults we know today - a whole slew of psychological problems would be negated, but also invented in their absence. I found particularly interesting your discussion of the children's playthings - More's utopians give their children precious jewels and such, to encourage their disvaluing of things we normal consider valuable. It reminds me of a recent article I read about a school of kindergarteners receiving IPads as learning tools. Though I know it wasn't the original intention, perhaps we are taking steps towards More's Utopian ideals . . .
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this rumination, because i am an education major as well. You made some great points about the development of children. The way in which these children were treated when looked at by our society today would be considered cruel and abusive. There are many critical points in a childs development where they need care and support socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically all of which were not given to these children. It just ges to show you how different time and place are in the role of child development. I completely agree that the way in which these children were raised is no way to live and dont really understand how they could grow up to be happy healthy and successful adults.
ReplyDeleteWay to point out such an interesting (and in my case, new) perspective on Utopia! I didn't not think about Utopia from a child's opinion (or rather lack thereof) until I read this Rumination, so thank you. I am actually pretty shocked that I didn't notice the extreme limitations on Children while I was reading the story. It seems that a child in Utopia is treated similarly to a slave, or hired help within the home, and that there is no sign of Utopians recognizing this aspect in a negative sense, which worries me. Perhaps by giving up personal freedom and liberty, Utopians gave up individualized emotions as well. If not, for what other reason would they allow, or wish to have their children treated this way? I can only imagine that it is a "hazing" period of sorts -- where children (who as you know from being a teacher constantly desire more freedom) are too unruly in terms of Utopian behavior, so they are forced to live on the sidelines and be molded into the ideal Utopian citizen.
ReplyDeleteChildren are very special to me, I especially enjoy hanging out with the young ones. To picture a little 5 year having to stand around and wait for food, stoically I might add, is just horrible to imagine! What a different concept was had of children.
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